> M.L.P .hack// Xth Vol 1 Awaken > by GundamBrony > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Unknown World > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- An eyelid began to open up as vision began to blur but once regain it, he only saw was a forest. A forest with trees that covered parts of the shining sun with vines that dangling down a bit as noise of creatures was heard in the far out of any direction. He slowly getting back up a bit and rubbing his head, he felt dizzy a bit as strangely he tried to stand up on a hind legs but to no avail as he trip and fall down. He then trying to get back up to his hind legs again but luckly he able to find a nearby tree to use as support as he saw a pond. He then close his eyes and began to think. Where am I.........Who am I.............Why can't I remember............ Open his eyes a bit, he then trying to head to the lake only to wobble a bit but able to land on four hooves.....wait hooves? Decide to question once get to the pond, he then carefully walk a bit which at first he began to lose balance at the result of falling down, but he manage to get up and walk carefully a bit until got a hang of it. Once he got to it, he then found his reflection : a tan coat cover his face and body and his muzzle is longer while his 'hair' is a lime green that on his top was clean with little ones sticking out and his back has spiking upwards and his behind legs is a mark of a white then bluish hexagon shaped. But what's strange is he have a horn on his forehead and pairs of wings with the same tan color coat. Am I......a horse? No.....there're much bigger so, maybe......I'm a pony......yeah that must be it. he thought to himself, touching his face a bit. Then who am I........why I'm a pony............ John......... He perks up with a strange voice echoing to his head. John? Is that my name? his mind asked. John........John...........John...........John...........John........ "Guess that's my name......." he muttered quietly a bit still unsure of this."But why I'm a pony?" He then gaze the clear sky morning as he sighed a bit, feeling a little refreshed a bit. As he turn around to look around, something caught his eyes. A book was on the grassy area. What's a book doing here? And why I get the feeling of I had to have it? He then walk to it and pick it up at first he had hard time to grab with his hooves but he somehow got it. It was an old book but with no title on the cover as he turn the page, he found it that it was blank. Blank and blank to all pages. I don't get it..........why this book is empty........ He then hold on to it as he now headed to the deeper parts of this forest. I guess I can look around.......perhaps there're maybe somebody here who can help me....... Meanwhile in the mountain range of Canterlot castle a purple alicorn mare with a dark purple mane with two streaks, one light pink and one light purple, purple eyes, with a liac coat along with a pair of wings and a starburst mark on the rear legs, was studying in a huge library full of books, from every books that re shelves in a perfect order. As one of a stacks of books that you can say be tall, the top one cover in a pinkish glow as it levitate to her. She then flipped the pages until she found the page and start reading it. "Let's see........a princess must balance her royal duties and her own time.........." She then skimmed a few pages a bit, collecting every details that her mind process. "Studying as usual, eh Twilight?" a voice was heard as she turned around, a baby dragon with light purple scales and a green spikes with a moderate pistachio eyes, was looking at her holding a scroll that goes longer. "Spike," She smile at him, her number 1 library assistant " yeah, just trying to refresh some of the royal duties that this book had after we got my crown from the alternative dimension." "Yeah, it's been 2 months from that. " he grumble a bit, remembering turning into a dog but quickly hold change his mood. "But at least things are back to normal here in Equestria. No dealing with embodiment of darkness, Deity of Chaos (well we already made him good, but still being annyoning), stop an evil queen bugs, restore a lost kingdom from an evil king, and save both ours and the alternative too from Sunset Shimmer. Yep just our r and r time." "Well, not yet it's not." Twilight muttered. "What do you mean?" Spike asked her. There another forces that rising again in Equestria? Aw man just for once that he wished he can stay at the library to get some r and r. "Well Princess Celestia and Princess Luna reported me that strange anomalies are spreading around in Equestria. Do you remember the Dragon's Migration?" Spike nodded. "Well for unknown reason, the dragons had gone berserk and there's a possibility that it might attacked Ponyville. Then there was rumored that ponies began to see strange ghost of bipedals, might be similar to the alternatives starting to do strange things, and finally there also report that some of the ponies began to disappeared without a trace or any clues to what cause them." "What?! Don't tell me that Rarity is gone again?! I don't want to happen again from that Nightmare Rarity event!" Spike exclaimed at this. "No, Rarity is here along with our friends and the Crusaders." Spike then sighed a bit, wiping out the sweat of him. "However, even the Royal Guards tried to find the cause of this, they still unable to find the missing ponies." Twilight then look at the window, sadden at this. "So what we going to do now?" Spike asked, patted her shoulder and tried to console her. "Well, until we know what we're dealing with, we need to report of the strange anomalies and be careful." Twilight stated, close the book and start to re shelve the stacks back to book shelves. Spike, then help with her as it felt like a hour, they finally clean the Canterlot library. "There, done and done. Now let's back home and gets some rest." he said, starting to yawn a bit, scratching his back of his head. Twilight nodded as they now headed to the train station. "Twilight, you know you can use your wings now. We don't need to take the train back to Ponyville." Spike asked. "I still need to take more of Rainbow's flying lesson if I want to use my wings." Twilight stated as they pay two train tickets and headed to the train. As the train's whistle now blows, the engine of the train now set out to Ponyville. "I wonder if I can find somebody who can help me......", he muttered as he continue trekked to the forest. But so far, only that he find is only trees and trees. No creatures or any pony kinds here. Then he start to hear a rumble as he touch to his stomach, it start to rumble. Great, now I need food........ he sighed at this. Unless there's maybe fish or meat......wait meat? Ponies don't eat meat, John! There 're vegetarian! He start to close his eyes and think. Let's see ponies eat hay, apples, and carrots...... so do they eat grass? Guess I find out myself. He then taken a bite from the grass and start to chewed slowly. At first he thought he going to spit it out and feeling something gross to his taste buds, but instead he found it good. "Huh? Not bad." he take another bite at this and start to eat like he haven't ate anything when he woke up here in the forest. After taken a few bites from it until half of the grass is now left with soils, he then take a sip from the lake. "Ahh, that's good." he said, feeling refreshed as he then began to walk around at the forest. For the past 3 hour, he kept going deeper and deeper into the forest as he examined more of his surrounding, but unfortunately, he couldn't find anyone here. As he felt unsure of where he was, he decide to camp here. With some of unknown knowledge he found some of the twigs, branches, and some stones. Once he set the branches and the stones for the campfire, he then use the remaining rocks and angle them right, he began stuck them to give sparks on the branches. At the first didn't work and the second, third, and the fourth, but eventually sparks now light up and the branches began to be consumed by the fire. He then continue to walk around to find more branches as he found more and more but then a smell hit him, causing him to gagged and plug his nose. "What the hell is that stench?!" he asked, still plugged his nose as the smell was getting worst as he found the traces of the stench : from the dense of the trees, a green eye was staring at him with a menacing glare as more of those green eyes came as it came out of the shadow, he was terrified to know what they are. Wolves that are made of woods. Wooden Wolves! Or better yet, Timberwolves! He starting to backed away slowly as those monsters with their wooden teeth and their snarling, starting to pounce but he quickly dodge it as he began to run fast as he could as the monsters began to give him chase. The wolves howled as began to snarling at him. "Ah, God!" he screamed as he kept jumping out of their jaws that are snapping at him while getting close. Even then he dare turn back and saw them gaining at him. The chase lead him out of the until he found him blocked by a wide river that he might not even jumped. A dead end. He turn back and saw them surrounding him. "Ah, God, what do I do?!" he asked to himself. What can I do? I just woke up with no memories of how I got here and now I'm going to be the wolves' meals! One of them ready itself to pounce the trapped pony. John felt his heart began to sink down into despair as he close his eyes, preparing for the end. Sombody.......Anybody.....please.........help me..........his mind pleaded for unknown reason, a miracle to happen. And such as that, a voice was heard but this time of a girl. A young girl. The book. Open the book. Open his eyes after hearing the voice, he open it and suddenly the forest starting to 'static' around once he open the book, then as the pages began to wildly turn, the blank pages began to filled up with words as he felt a violent earthquake around him, causing the forest to rumbled and spread around of town. A cottage began to feel the rumble as a shy and timid pegasus came out quickly and saw all of the animals critters began to panicking. "Oh my goodness, what's going on?!" she asked as she tried to take them to safety. At a big red farm, the tremor began to shake violently as a orange pony mare with golden mane and a stetson came out of the farm and saw a apple orchards began to drop many apples down. "What in tarnation?!" she exclaimed by this event. "What the hay is going around here?!" As more of perhaps, family member coming out, they seek shelter at the basement as she closed it down. Inside of a gingerbread house near to the town, everything starting to shake violently as two ponies rushed out and ducked under the table along with the two foals. Along with that, a pink pony with a magenta cotton candy mane bounce panicking and hid there too. Then all of them gasped as this horror as cakes flopped down and splatted on the floor, stuff coming down and so on. "Oh my goodness, it's the end of the world as well know it!" she screeched so loudly. In a Carousel house that also caught on the tremor, a snow white unicorn with a purple curly mane witness the clothes began to drop down on the floor, along with hearing the noise of something breaking from the kitchen and saw a smaller snow white unicorn with a curly mane of grayish mulberry and a light grayish rose streaks. She quickly embrace her with a tearful eyes. "Rarity, what's going on?! I'm scared!" she weep at her neck as the loud tremor continue to ransacked. "I don't know, but we need to get under the table quickly!" With that, both of them headed to the kitchen and ducked under it hopefully to keep them safe from what ever is causing the tremor. At a treehouse library, being caught on the tremor, Twilight was mortified by every books fall down to the floor as everything starting to fall down too. She then saw Spike starting to hide under the table on the kitchen, feeling scared. "Twilight, over here!" he shouted to him. "Quickly before this place is collapsing!" With a quick gallop, she hurried and hid under the table with him as he began to curled up into a ball, rocking like crazy. "How did a Equequake happen?! That never happen only once every 10 years!" Twilight muttered by this catastrophic mess continue to rain down onto the library. "I hope that everypony is all right...." she muttered, feeling that most of the ponies got into the safe zone from this strange Equequake. As the book began to spread out strange symbols out of it and causing the forest to become white, feeling of the book is going haywire and making his hooves hurt, he threw it out, but then the book somehow shot out strange words out of it as his front right hoof magnetic absorb it so much that his body began to feel numb a bit. After that, his body began to shook violently, feeling the effect of the book began to take on hold on him. Then strange symbols attached to his front legs as he was enveloped in some kind of.......data. Then it began to materialize around him along with that as with breakage of the data, he found himself wearing a orange clothes with a belt wrapped around him, a brown armor cladding under it to lead of making a brown, grey and light brown boots. Along with that, his cutie mark remained the same only with the additional of two swords making a X. Finally his face now have two triangler patterns onto his cheek and he now wear a strange hat with a strange symbol on the front and to the top was a yellow zig-zagged. The wolves moved backed at this event as John's right arm starting to glowed and now enveloped in some kind of data wings with wings like pieces coming out as a purple star was showed on the middle. He unexpectedly jumped higher that he was almost touching the sky and 'aim' his arm at the timberwolves. With more static happen around the forest, he somehow screamed at them. As if he knows of this event. "DATA DRAIN!" With a wires of data now blasted off from his arm, it direct at the wolves and impaled their bodies, hurting them in the process. Suddenly, a green energies began to come out of the wolves and being absorbed into his arm. With a screamed, he fall down to the ground, grunted a bit and was shocked to see something else : The once living timberwolves was now encased of stones. "Wha....what.....did....." he mumbled before he felt like he's about to faint as stumbled and fall down to the lake, causing him to dive down into the lake and being pulled to the depths. What was this power? Why it looks so.........familiar? his mind asked of these questions before being lost into a comatose. Suddenly from the dark depths, a shadowly figure of a pony grabbed him with what to appear to be...........a familiar purplish star colors that blacken the night. Opening : > Night > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Darkness......that he could ever felt. Everything is blacken by this event. Suddenly his mind starting to recover something........but unfortunately what he got is only a fuzzy and a fragments of it. Then he remember something, the timberwolves tried to attacked him but he fought back using this 'Data Drain' power from the book, then everything blackout but not hearing the girl's voice. 'Now your destiny begins...........' A hollow noise stirring him from his deep sleep as he open his eyes, he found himself wearing the strange clothes that gave him from the book. Although soaked wet a bit, he ignore and examined his area. It was a cave, like those mountain caves that he recognize of rock formations that form spikes and dripped of water that he can hear from a mile away as darkness blacken half of the cave. He rubbed his head to ease of the pain and starting to think. Where am I now? Who saved me? And to most important, why did I hear that girl's voice before? That book that I founded.......he paused to realize that the book is gone as he look around to see if anyone founded along with him, but so far no luck. "Ah man, I lost that book........that book is something that can unlock my past........and now it's gone........." he slump down in disappointed then changed his mood. "But, I wonder..... who saved me?" he muttered to himself. If somebody saved me, then that must mean there other kinds here. he thought about it. Unnoticed from behind him, a purple mist swirl from behind him as once it made contact to him, John shot up his head and quickly turn from behind of this and saw the purple mist. He jumped out of the way and readied his right arm to drain that mist. Suddenly, a voice was heard from it. "Don't worry......I'm not going to hurt you." He found that 'mist' has a voice of a young female, but still readied his right arm. "Who are you?! Are you trying to kill me?!" "If I did, then you wouldn't be here. I'm just a friend to you." she said swirl around him, still holding his glare at it but then soften his eyes a bit and lower his right arm a bit. "There, that's wasn't so bad. I'm admitted that I never seen a Alicorn stallion before in Equestria" she hissed a bit in remarked. "Alicorn? So that's what I am?" he examined his new body in which something happen to him. Bluish flames consumed his clothes until nothing left. He felt that in his mind he want to changed back and it did. He furrowed his eyes on the purple mist. "And what's this Equestria?" "Well to answer one at the time, Alicorn are the highest of the royal families and the most powerful ponies of all of Equestria. However there were only mares that took upon the titles of 'Princess' so far and not even a sight of a stallion who take upon of 'Prince'....until now." 'she' explained to him "As for the second one, it's a land inhabited by not only ponies but other mythical creatures." He sat on his haunches and began to think a bit. So I'm like the first and the rarest of the Alicorn families and this Equestria is where I was. If so, then.......how did I become it? And do I had a family that came from the royal families? Decide to question more, he shaking off of his mental thoughts and asked in a soft tone. "So what's your name?" "I'm only a fragments of what I used to be. You can say I'm a princess. Princess Night." she said as a glow, the mist now transformed into a hazy mist figure. It was hard to figure out the detail of her. For her body is a full grown mare but only see is a black mist along with purple outline onto it. The head is the difficult to see, her muzzle is only with the visible purple light and her eyes is only glowed in a torque color. Her 'mane' flows with purple colors spectrum that flows with stars a bit yet a black spectrum was also visible including her tail. But was surprise is a black colored moon mark on the behind of her rear legs. "I'm John. At least that was my memories said." He looked away in deep sadness. "If I had memories of who am I........" "John.....A unusual name for you. So you said that you had a amnesia?" she asked him in a curiosity tone. He began to pounder his thought. "Well I guess you say that..........all I know is that I woke in the middle of a forest and there was a book that for some strange reason, I felt that I had to hold on to it. Once I build a campfire, I was attacked by these timberwolves and by using the book from a girl that I heard in my mind, I gain a power known as Data Drain." He showed his Data Drain arm as it glows with strange power. The star then recolor into pink and the halo rings surrounded the star also had now become green along with aero wings that sprout around it. Night take a close look at this, interesting of this new power. "I felt a masses of power surging through that arm, but a dangerous side effect of it." Side effect? That new power that I used has a side effect? he thought about it as he remember of the time that he collapse to the lake. Somehow every time he used it, it brings him to a comatose, faint from his battle and might do the same if he kept using it from upcoming battles. He take a glance of his Data Drain arm which dissolved into nothingness and sighed at this. "Well, I guess I'll handle that on my own then." he replied then a thought came through him. "So tell me Night, why I'm here in Equestria?" Night close her eyes before open it back. "Perhaps I may called you for a reason. Do you know why I'm no longer a complete pony?" he shook his head. "Well it all start when I ruled in a place called Canterlot, the capital of Equestria........" Meanwhile in Ponyville, after the tremor stopped, all of the ponies peek out of the door to see only the place is discorded. Buildings stood there broken, stood even fall down as well as carts too with items laying on the ground. Ponies began to murmurings of this event; some think that the Diamond Dogs had to something with it, others think that it was a prophecy of the end of the world. While there are some trying to calm them down, some feeling frighten by this. Some even told it might something to do with the anomalies that happen here. With the ponies began to panicking around of this, one of them, Mayor Mare tried to calm them down. So far it was useless as ponies began to running around crazy and each of them kept saying again and again, "That's means that we're going to die!" "What we going to do?!" "No! I don't want my life to end!" "What about our foals and fillies?!" At this state of panicking ponies, Mayor Mare banged his head on the wall. "Oh what am I going to do?" she muttered as she saw something coming down to her. "Oh thank goodness your here, Twilight! Those ponies are going on a panicking spree due to the Equequake tremor! I tried to calm them down but.......", her sentence was interrupted with a hoof touching her shoulder as Twilight nodded at this as if she can read her mind, nodded. She then readied her horn, now envelop in a pinkish glowed. "All right everypony! STOP!" With a blast that freeze the panicking ponies into the place, everything is in silence. All of them looked at the princess with confusion. "Everypony listen! The world isn't ending. Whatever caused the Equequake isn't nature and the Diamond Dogs aren't responsible of this. Me and my friends are going to find out what caused it." With some at doubts of this, most of them calmed down and felt that there was hope that the Princess may find the answer to this strange phenomenon. Then the spell wear off as they now headed to fixed up the town. Twilight sighed at this outcome. First this strange anomalies and now a unknown Equequake happen here. What's going on here in Equestria? she pounder of her thoughts. "Thank you, Twilight." Mayor Mare's voice cut out of her mental thoughts. "Those ponies are being paranoid a bit ever since of their missing friends or family members gone missing. Have the princess report of anything strange beside the Equequake?" "Not that I know of. Sorry." she replied. "It's okay, but I'm glad that you and your friends are still here." she returned with a reassure smile before heading back to the town square. Twilight smiled a bit but still changed her mood when hung her head a bit. That Equequake isn't just naturally......I sense something from the Everfree Forest..........a dangerous.......power........yet familiar............ She then look at the skies of the clear clouds to cleanse of her worries. "Twilight!!" a familiar voices was heard as she turned and saw her friends rushing to her side. She smiled at them ; at least none of them got hurt from the tremor. "We're so glad that your safe." Rarity said, wiping a sweat off her forehead. "Yeah, that quake caused so much damage to Sweet Apples Acres." Applejack said. "All of our property and our stuff just tumbling down like a herd of stampede!" "Oh, and even the animals gotten frighten by it!" Fluttershy added with a hint of worries. "Oh, I tried to calmed them down so much." "Girls, that quake wasn't natural." Twilight said, getting surprised looks from them. "What ever caused it wasn't the Diamond Dogs from before. They're too dumb to do something like that. I sense a dangerous power from it. Not just any magic but something familiar yet dangerous." "Really, and what you make think that this power is familiar?" Rainbow asked with a hint of impatience. "Well for one thing...........it's like the elements of harmony." Twilight replied which the others were in silence. There was a power that was the same as the element of harmony? Just before they could ask further, they saw a group of beavers headed to them. Fluttershy then asked them with a hint of worries. "Oh dear what's wrong?" The beaver chatter like crazy but thanks to her talent of understanding animals, she can understand them well until she gasped at their story. "Fluttershy, what's wrong?" Twilight asked. "The Timberwolves! Something happen to them! Saying that a pack of them was turned into stones!" Fluttershy replied caused them be surprised. "What now those beast needed our help?! Those thing really tried to skin us, remember?!" Rainbow exclaim. "Still their animals, it's only natural they do in the nature and we can't ignore an animal in danger. C'mon, we better go see this." With that the others followed the beavers to the scene of the event. "I ruled together with the three princess in Canterlot to assure the peace and harmony to all of the citizen of ponies. The three princess were like my sister and we become a great family with love and care. We wield the defense against any evil entities, the elements of harmony, the one that keep the peace of the balance of Equestria and spread the magic of love and hope to it. The two princesses, which they're loving sisters, have the power to raise the sun and the moon while a new princess who also a student to the princess of the sun, train to learn of her new status, and I had the power to give life to the nights of Equestria. Sadly to say.........everything changes for us." she explained with a hint of sadness. "The three princesses were on the lust for order and power and want to abuse the elements of harmony because of their obsessions. I tried to reason with them but their obsession have blinded their clear judgement, so I decide to fight them back and protect the elements of harmony, but it wasn't enough. Because of my betrayed, they destroyed my body causing me to take the form of a hazy mist and exile me from Canterlot. I found refugee here in this cave and prayed the stars to find a savior to reclaimed back the kingdom and stop the three princesses from ruling with an iron hoof." John mouth agape at this story. To think this princess want to keep peace here in Equestria and she was betrayed by the three evil princesses that she almost made her like a family. And she prayed from the stars to find a savior to help save it. Could that savior be.......me? "Can't you use your magic to recreate your body?" he asked. "I'm afraid it won't work like that. To use a spell to create or recreate a body for them or yourself can be very dangerous that it'll destroyed your own life once used it." she shook her head with a hint of disappointment. "Oh " He slump his head in the same mood as her. "I'm sorry I asked that....." "Don't be......." she cupped his chin to let her torque eyes gaze at his azure eyes. "There is a way for me to recreate my body. The elements of harmony have unlimited supply of magic. If you can bring them here to me, we can start the procedure to reclaim my body back and take back Canterlot. Except......" "There at the castle right?" he dare to asked in which she nodded. "Don't worry, I'll help you reclaim your body back and take back Canterlot." he assure him with a eyes of determination causing her to be surprise as he continue to speak. "If your the reason that I'm here in Equestria, looking for a savior, then I'll be the savior that everybody needs!" She then embrace him which he returned it. "Thank you, John. Your valor is very inspiring to all of ponies." Unnoticed to him, her eyes are in a deep sorrow and a familiar darkness crept inside her eyes, but yet grunted to hold it. "Yeah, your welcome. I just felt that I had to help." he replied. They both let go of their embrace as John looked to his right arm. "But in order to do that, I'll need to use my power wisely. And some weapons if we're going to get back Canterlot." "I see," she understand of this and pounder before she replied "If that's the case, I'll be your teacher to help with your new power. Judging that you don't know of ponies society, you'll need to learn some spells that can help with you." He nodded at this. "I can even give half of my power to you so you can find it useful to your power." "Thanks Night." he nodded at her then suddenly she shot her head up. As if she sense something. "What's wrong?" "Stay put." that all she said before she turned herself into her mist form and few away, leaving him confused. As the ponies now gallop to keep up with the beavers who lead the way to find the timberwolves stones, they found a campfire that was unattended as they put out the fire quickly before it spread around the forest. With that the resume to follow the beavers to the incident. "Twil, do you think that who ever was camping here, might had to do with the strange quake?" Applejack asked. "I can't be sure, but we need more facts to find out who and why." she shook her head. With that the finally reach to the scene of the incident at the large lake. They look around and gasped at the stone turned timberwolves, seeing the pieces now starting to break down and crack. "Oh mah stars!" was all that Applejack said as she touch the stones. Fluttershy embrace Rarity, shedding a little tears of this. Sure those animals are dangerous but they're still a living being and don't deserve to be encased of stones. "Do you think that a cockatrice might had to do with it?" Rainbow asked. "It's impossible for a cockatrice to turned them into stones in one day. They're very afraid of them and usually run away from them.", Twilight explain in which Rainbow pout a bit. "It's more than they just turned into stones.......I can't even sense life from them as if......they're were drained by somepony or some else." Then she saw something that caught her eye. A book was laid on the grass. She levitate to it and turn a few pages of it. "What's a book doing here, darling?" Rarity asked as the others came to her side, curious of what she found. "Strange.....this book is empty....." Twilight muttered. "Empty.....you mean like this book is blank?" Pinkie asked in which she nodded and showed them to it. The others were confuse by this blank book. "But what's a book doing here?" Fluttershy asked as Twilight closed her eyes to think of it; then she open her eyes once she thought of it. " I don't know but we should bring it to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna so they can figure out of it." The girls nodded as they now headed out of the forest, unnoticed that Night, in her mist form, heard everything from hidden in the water as she slither away to the cave. Meanwhile, John was sleeping on the wall, waiting for Night to come, as he dive into his dream, he found himself in a empty void of darkness. He begun looking around for a sign of a light but so far nothing. Then he heard another voices.....this time it was that of three young boys......... "The World and all of its wonder; this is my world, you see......" "I have a feeling that the key to it is somewhere in......The World" "There's only one thing that's real about the world! And that's us the players!......" Who are these voices.......there're so.......familiar........as if..........I known them........but why........his thought asked as a blur of lights appeared and taking forms of three bipedal beings. One of them clad in grey robes and tattoos on his face and holding a staff, the other one clad identical to the one he use but has red clothing and belts on the hip and carried twin daggers, and the final one has red eyes, a shaggy silver hair, an exposed midriff, wears black leather wardrobe, and has decorated wave tattoos and the mark on his face are lighting bolt shaped. He also holds curve shaped daggers that has sharp tips, giving of a saw shaped. "Who......" he asked before another voice echo to him. The same young girl's voice. Tsukasa........ Kite......... Haseo........... Before he can asked them, a blinding light flashed and consume everything, even the young boys. "Wait!" that was the only thing he said before everything engulf by the light. "John........John.......wake up......." said a voice, shaking him from his slumber as he open his eyes, he saw Night, sat down with him. "Night......" he groggily said, tried to sat on his hunches. "You came back......" "Yes, I was patrolling to see anypony found us; Luckly that they didn't found us but instead they found a book and three timberwolves stones." she explained, causing him to shot his head up at it. "Someone found my book and the timberwolves statues?!" he exclaim by it, but lower his head down a bit with a sad smile. "Guess that means it's my fault then." "What do you mean?" He then showed her Data Drain arm once again to her. "I've taken a life away. All because of I was scarred. Scarred of dying without the reason to do it. And now they going to label me as a 'murder'." She then saw so much sorrow in his tone that he spoke. John, a rare and amnesia alicorn colt, take a life away from a being. All because of them chasing him due their predator nature. She then place her misty legs and hug him, cause him to surprise by her but return it to her. "What you did isn't your fault. You were scarred and just woke up with a amnesia. We all had to fight to defend ourselves and those close to us. Even if it'll scar us in our hearts and never heal us." she explained to him. He look to his Data Drain arm, which dissolve back to nothingness, then clench his hoof. "I guess your right. Thanks." She smiled at him as they both let go of their embrace. "Get some rest. We'll train by tomorrow so you can use your power properly." He nodded as he laid on his back and close his eyes, he began to softly snore, falling into a deep sleep. As for Night, she then grunted at if she was in pain as once he was fast asleep, she then released a reflection mist form of herself, except that it has red eyes instead of the torque eyes and look menacing. "So according to plan, Night?" it hissed at her, taking the form of her but vile. "We can use him so we can resurrected ourselves as one being. The one that she abandon us due to the elements of harmony wielders. And the plan to use one of them to lead our forces to conquer Equestria yet foiled by them again. After all you still hold a grudge of what they did to you, isn't that right, Night or should I say, Nightmare Moon." "Yes, but do we need to use him? He's just a young colt with no memories of who he is and why he came here. I had to put a lie to his head because of you told me too. Sure I have a score to setter with them, but he changed me, never seen me as most ponies fear me, The Mare of the Moon." she argued back at it, keeping her voice low, then a surge of lighting flashed at her causing her to grunted in pain. "You dare question me?!" she hissed at her. "Is it because of Luna's emotion got into you, the elements of harmony's friendship onto you, or him with the unbroken care?! You will not question your dark half, Nightmare Moon!!!" After lower the surge off, her mist form was covered in singes and burn marks, still grunted of the pain. Then the dark mist came to her with a glare. "You will use him so you and I can be complete. You do want for your forces do you?" She then take a glance at him, still in his prone form, sleeping then back at it. "Yes." With that, the dark mist then being absorbed back into her 'body'. She then take one more glance at him and sighed. John.......if you understand who I really am.......will you able.........to end me......? > Ponyville > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- A fuzzy static was showed to his mind as once it start to clear up, he found himself in a bed. A bed inside of a room with bookshelves, drawers, and a table with a strange screen with few buttons device attached to it and a device that looks like a goggle with something that attached to the device. Before he can figure out what it is, the memories start to fuzzy up everything........... Then in flashed, words came from his mind and flooded everywhere, filling out information of stuff that he somehow knew. Like he recognize them. The World Aura Epitaph of Twilight Force Era R : X R : 2 Tri Edge Dot Hackers So much information that flooded that he unable to learn of this event. These words......I remember them......but from where........his thoughts pounder of it and before he can remember, a bright light flashed the darkest abyss and consume everything. His eyes started to stirred a bit as he felt something wet from his muzzle. Drip by Drip of something wet as he open his eyes from his slumber. He rubbed his eyes a bit and saw that Night had fallen asleep. Smiled at this, he decide to take a stroll a bit, being careful not to wake her up, and start walking around; he think of these words that flooded his mind as he kept walking. How did it happen? Did the book release information when I used it? And those statics......could that means my memories is........ However his thinking is interrupted when he saw a bright light on a opening. Realize that must be the opening of the cave, he trotted to it as he found the scenery. It was beautiful.....takes beauty to the next level. A waterfall was crashing down to a beautiful lake, the light of the sun flashed to it, creating a sparkle that his eyes has obsession to the amazing scenery. He found himself to be behind to the waterfall as he found a path and walked to it as he want to look more of this scenery. As he found himself to be out of it, he found it be where the forest was but yet even the trees still have the jungle look, the beauty of the lake and the waterfall is enough. Felt that his mouth is dry, he drink some of the water from the lake. It was refreshing, yet cool to replenish his dry lips and mouth at the same time. His ear perks up of hoofs clopping to him as he sighed and wiped out of the drips of the water. "You know, my hearing is very high. And I'm know your trying to scare me, aren't you Night?" he said, not taking his eyes of the gorgeous lake along with hearing a chuckled from her. "Not trying to. But I just checking on you.", she replied coming to the reflection of the lake on his side. "Just to make sure nopony ever see you." "Hey, Night," he turned to her with a confuse manner "I was wonder, why you kept saying 'nopony, everypony, and anypony'? Not to be rude but just wondering." "I was wondering when you going to say that, along with my question of why you kept saying 'anyone' and 'everybody'." she replied as she look up, gazing the clear blue skies "It's usually the ponies language of Equestria and we only say it to all ponies except Griffons, Buffalos, you name it to any mythical creatures." "I see." he look to the same direction as her. It was peaceful here in this new place that he can say his home. His home at this beautiful lake and waterfall and an exiled mist - like princess who saved him from being drown while he's at a comatose. He then gaze back at his reflection of the lake as it ripple to revealed himself in his new attire. The one with the Data Drain power that his right leg had that wrapped around like a bracelet. Wait......bracelet? Now I remember parts of this information that the book did to me! This belong to that bipedal creature wearing the same attire as me! "Twilight Bracelet." he muttered to himself in which Night might already heard him, snapping out of her trance of the skies. "What?" She then walk to his side, confused as he then look to her and showed to her arm, revealing the Data Drain arm mode. "This is the Twilight Bracelet." "What is this Twilight Bracelet?" she asked him. "I don't know but......" he trailed off to find the right words and the scraps of memories and information that the book transfer to him "But when the book transfer this new power I gained, it somehow transfer a huge amount of information into me too. As I remember, this Bracelet has the power it holds either salvation or destruction at the whim of the user. But this bracelet.......it belongs to Kite." "Kite?" "Yes, all I know that the book gave me.....is he's the first one to used it to save a friend that was under a coma....... that's all I know; the rest are still fuzzy up in my head." He then let his 'bracelet' disappeared from his right legs and face her. "So shall we get some breakfast? I'm getting hungry from gazing at the lake." She nodded as the two now headed into the forest to find food for breakfast. In the Golden Oak Library, the book now covered in a pinkish glow as it attempt to turn the pages and revive the words of each pages, but so far, it turns blank, slammed it tightly, and fall down to the floor. "Arggh...this book is something.....my magic can't even revive the words of it...!!" Twilight grunted, panted from using her spells. While the others tried to attempt to use any means to get the words right, the book sealed it tightly (even Applejack's and Rainbow Dash's strength to open it). Since they took the mysterious book to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna in Canterlot, they tried to use their spells they can tried to muster, but so far the book remained shut. Believing that it might had to do with the strange tremor and the caused of the stone cased timberwolves, they decide to appoint to find other ways to revive the words on the pages of the book to find some clues. But so far, even with the elements of harmony and Discord's dark magic, the book still remained closed with no effect of any magic. "Ah c'mon! We tried everything that we can think to revive the words on this stupid book and still remained closed?!" Rainbow exasperated by this. "What kind of book that doesn't work with any magic?!" "M'ah thoughts exactly! No matter how much we tried, we can't it get the words in!" Applejack groaned along with the others too, getting tired "It's like this book doesn't want any of any darn Equestrian magics!" "Girls, I know that this book is seemly......impossible, but we can't give up." Twilight said as she flipped more pages of other books from the bookshelves "There's got to be any spells that can work!" "Darling, I understand that after you got back from getting your crown back from Sunset Shimmer, you want to find the caused of these strange anomalies and deal with it, but we can't just get rid of it in a month or two. We need to find all of the facts first before we can handle it. Beside we do need to rest a bit before we can get back onto research." Rarity pointed out as the others agree with her. Twilight sighed in defeat as she levitate the remaining books back into the right shelves and put the mysterious book down on the table. "Yeah, your right; guess I was upset that we now had to deal with stranger things around in Equestria." "We all understand this, sugarcube. We all worried of these strange anomalies as you do too; unlike the ones we dealt with in the past, this is all too new to all of us." Applejack reassure her, patted on her shoulder. "Still as long that we got each other, we can handle it." Twilight nodded as the others now exit out of the library to get some fresh air and some break time from finding a spell to revive the words of the mysterious book, unknown to them once they left, the book start to static a bit. "So are we going to eat grass for every course meal along with water?" Night asked him who he holds a wooden bottle to store some water and attach it to vine shaped belt. Since they been walking around in the forest for an hour, John decide to at least collect some woods and dry rocks for a campfire in the cave for warmth and grass for rations. "Looks like it. Consider that I can't even find other type of food." he look around for any more of woods and dry rocks. "Beside, I know that ponies are vegetarian, so they don't eat meat. But I don't know if they eat seafood too." "Well, rarely but not too much." Night replied, store some of the stuff they need. "We don't want to go upsetting our diets on seafood." "I see." he picked up the last of the wood and store on a basket that he made then suddenly he got an idea. "Is there a town near to a forest, Night?" Shen then placed her hoof to think about it before facing him. "Well, there is.....but unfortunately.....since the evil princess ruled Canterlot......" "The town near hear might be under their ruled too, right?" he guessed it which she nodded and he sighed. "But we can see what town it is; we just can't enter it." Night replied which he nodded as they continue trekking around the forest until they saw an opening. Wasting no time, he trotted to it and saw the town. He found the town to be......well friendly loving and peaceful. Towns were seen were magnificent with some unique design; from the design of what to appear to be carousel, a gingerbread house, and a tree house (well literally a real real tree house). Next to others, a tall building was seen and by his knowledge he guess that's a town hall. Then he saw other ponies doing their daily business around town with their cheerful happiness and smiles. This town is so......peaceful......with so much.......happiness and joy.......he sighed after having a mental thinking, not taking a view off the town. "You shouldn't run off all of time, John." Night said with a stern tone. "Who knows that if anypony that see us, we might be in deep trouble." "Sorry" he rubbed his head in embarrassment then returning to his gaze of the town. "I just had a habit of seeing new places." Night then return with her usual calm expression as she also joined in view the town. "Ponyville." "Huh?" He turned to her with a confused expression. "That's the name of the town." she turned back to him. "The one that I told you before." "Oh." he lowered his head a bit with a sadden expression. This is the town that was under the ruled by them......the evil princesses. his thoughts made him having a little scowl. "Night," he turned to her which she looked at him "Can you at least tell me the unique places they have? The one shaped differently?" She nodded as she start explaining to each of the unique places. "To start with, the carousel building is called the Carousel Boutique where they made special clothes, " she pointed to the carousel house then turn to point the gingerbread house "next is the Sugarcube corner where it's a bakery which holds a huge amount of sweets; kinda of a sugar zone place, " she then turn her head to the direction of the tree house "the tree house that you saw is called the Golden Oak Library; it's just a library nothing really special, " next her eyes focus on the apple farm that's right on the far right corner "and lastly there's the Sweet Apples Acres; a apple orchard that grows the most irresistible apples of Equestria." "Carousel Boutique, Sugarcube Corner, Golden Oak Library, and Sweet Apples Acres....." he muttered to remind of these special places, then he look up and saw a cloud like town place. "What about the cloud town place?" She then look up to the direction he pointed at. "That's Cloudsdale; nothing really special only to pegasus ponies live there and Earth pony can't walk on clouds otherwise...." "They fall to their death?" he guess it in which she chuckled a bit. "Yeah, that's right. Which is why they need a unicorn to perform a cloud walking spell to go to that place." she said, feeling somewhat happy with him then a tone change which he notice it. "What's wrong? You sounded like each of the places belong to......", his sentence was interrupted by her turning back to the entrance of the forest. Realize that she got something in her mind, he decide to headed back to the cave which he called it home, reminded her to train with his new founded powers once they fulled up. At the cafe, while asking the waiter of each of their orders, Twilight and the others start to chat of their usual days, not mentioning of the strange anomalies and the mysterious book. While the waiter handed out of their respective meals and the girls began to enjoy the meals, Twilight perks up her head and gaze at the Everfree Forest, staring at it as if she start to see something or rather.......heard something that only she can hear. She heard a girl's voice, echoing to her head, The book. The book is the key to unlock of his memories. Memories of who he is. And to find his destiny. Find him..... "Twilight? Twilight!" Rainbow Dash's voice snapped her out of her stupor and saw her friends, giving odd looks at her. "You ok? You just space out, staring at the Everfree Forest." "The book." she muttered which the others giving confuse expression and a collection of 'huh?' "I heard a girl's voice." she explained to them "Saying the mysterious book is a key. A key to unlock his memories." " 'His'? Are you talking about the new guy, Flash Sentry that we saw him before when you came back from the mirror world?" Pinkie piped up which caused her to having a pink flushed kissing her cheek. "No. I don't think he's the one....." Twilight said, thinking about the girls voice. "Then, who? Who told you that?" Fluttershy asked her with a hint of concern. "I don't know.......", she replied, lowering her head down a bit. "Maybe you just need more rest from studying of that darn mysterious book." Applejack suggested "Beside, if you keep this out, you'll be anxious over anything." Twilight nodded as the waiter brought their food in, the girls and Spike chow down onto their meals. At the waterfall, a cockatrice was petrified half of the animals with a evil grin. Since some of the timberwolves were turned to stone, it can petrified whatever it want and nothing will stop but had to do it quickly before the rest come. As it continue to find more of it prey, it heard of rusting from the bush on the side. Thinking it might be one of the animals , it now into its pounce stand, with a huge glare, getting ready to petrified its prey. Suddenly, a hoof thrust out of bush and gripped his head, blocking its red eyes from gazing from its victim. With a hard gripped that this pony got, it struggle to break it out, but the more it tried to squirm out of it, even biting it, the hoof kept crushing its head. This pony that gripped it like a dragon is even worst than the yellow pegasus' stare. Then it saw a bright pink star magic appeared in front of its face as a massive surge of power begin to surge on to the star. Panicking that it might blast it to ashes, it squirm crazy to get the hoof off its face. But as a battle cry was heard, a massive wire of data burst through and impaled the head and a purple data shot out of its body, then absorbed back into the hoof. Then half of the animals were petrified by the cockatrice were free from it as for the cockatrice, it being turned into stone. Then with a massive amount of strength, he breaks the head off and threw it to the tree, breaking it into ashes. "There you can be free......in Tartarus!" John coming out of the bush in his orange attire, and cursed the remained ashes of the cockatrice. "John, language! We ponies never used that such a tone!" Night came out with him too, scold at him which he turned to her with a guilty expression. "Sorry. Just don't like that thing turning innocent creatures into stones." he faced her still retain his calm tone "I did it as a redemption for the timberwolves." Wasting no time to ask why, she changed the subject. "Anyway it's seem that your Data Drain power is going smoothly. Seems like you can reverse the effects on your opponents. But if you want not to turn your opponent into stone, you might need to focus on changing it consider that you don't like to take a life away. As for the side effect, I can try to cast a spell to eliminate the side effect but it might come back if you keep using your Data Drain power. In other words, you need to cast a spell to cure of the side effect before it can get worst." "Yeah but," he let his bracelet disappeared along with his orange clad clothes too and focus on her "I only used it as the trump card. I might need to work on to it to find away to change the effect of my bracelet as for the last question, I don't know any of spells that I know to prevent it. So I was wondering if you can also teach some of the 'easy' spells that you know by tomorrow?" She nodded in approval as they now headed back to the waterfall cave and start to work on the fire. Finding a spot that isn't wet from top to bottom, he laid down some of the collected woods and some dry rocks on the dry middle section and began to create a spark of it. Once he got the sparks set on the woods and the woods start to burning brighter, he and Night began to eat some of the grass quietly.He start to thinking of the tone that Night told him of the special places he asked about Ponyville. She acted like mainly because of the evil princesses? No something else.......maybe who ever works or live there might have a connection to it. He decide to break the silence and turned to her. "Hey Night?" "Hmm..." "Do you remember when you told me about the special places that Ponyville have? The one that I was fondly curious about?" he asked her which she was surprise about it. "Yeah?" "I can hear of your tone." he looked down in worried expression. "You sounded like each of the special places is run by who ever lives or work there. Like their part of the evil princesses." She lowered her food, covered in magic, and sighed. "Your right because the ponies that live or work on those places are the evil princesses most faithful subjects." "What?" his eyes widened in shocked. "You see, when I tried to take the kingdom back by myself, the evil princess have the 5 faithful subjects to defended her. Each of them have a traits that they can used the Elements of Harmony. With that, I wasn't able to handle them and one of the evil princesses have the sixth trait to use the final Elements of Harmony to help their subjects to defeated me." she explained which his shocked expression turned to guilt. It made him want to help her more than ever to get her kingdom back from them without anypony to help her. "Don't worry, Night." he said with a determination "I'll protect you and help you reclaim your kingdom back. If I can learn to control my powers, I can.........." his sentence was cut short when felt a warm embrace as he look and saw Night hugging him. He rub his lime green mane in embarrassment and having a crimson blushes on his cheek. "I'm grateful for you, John." she said sense a relief of happiness. "But, I need to answer this, John. In your honest and your heart speak." she removed her embrace from him with a hint of seriousness gaze onto him. "Sure." he nodded. " There's a legend before the three evil princesses came into power. The Legend of the Nightmare Moon." she explained to him like she became a storyteller. "You see there was an dark entity that corrupted one of the princesses, the princess that raise the moon. She became a shadow to the princess of the sun while the ponies of Equestria were bathed by her sun, they were shunned by her moon raised each night. The princess of the moon refused to lower the moon and the princess of the sun tried to reason with her. But with the anger and jealousy that clouded her judgement, she transformed into a evil mare that want to engulf Equestria into a never ending night, Nightmare Moon. The princess of the sun forced to use the elements of harmony to banished her to the moon for a thousands years and with that she then forced to raise the sun and the moon. However after a thousands years of banishment, Nightmare Moon return and resume the goal of a eternal night. But with the help of six mares who are the now the wielders of the Elements of Harmony, she was purge out of the darkness, reverting her back to the loving princess of the moon. However sometimes after that event, the remnants of the darkness rise from the moon along with the evil forces and plan to resume to do what Nightmare Moon promise them : an all out powerful kingdom and that's means conquer Equestria. But to make sure that the Elements of Harmony won't be used again, they kidnapped one of the wielders and corrupted her, making her another vessel to the Nightmare forces. However with the princesses and the Elements of Harmony, they able to save their friend and purge the darkness out of Equestria. With the Nightmare forces defeated, the remnants of the Nightmare Moon is no longer exist. However, there're rumors that the remnants might hidden somewhere in Equestria, laying in dormant and waiting for its revenge. But there's some point that due to being a dark half of the princess of the moon and being defeated by the Elements of Harmony as well as being exposed to it, it or rather 'she' begun to have a 'heart' and the emotions from the princess have. As she continue to understand of those heart and emotion she had, she also having struggle to her dark and evil side of her, making her follow her hoofstep like the princess of the moon, even to make up lies of those evil princesses that were actually the good princesses all along and using him as a pawn! " Her voiced raised so much that she didn't care that he flinch a bit. John was speechless of this story that she told him about. A darkness that was created by anger and jealousy that the princess of the moon had transform her into a.....monster. A monster that want to envelop the world into eternal darkness and being defeated by the Elements of Harmony twice. Now this monster start to become......a living pony who also struggle to fight her darkness that want to do what she done as a monster before. "I need to know, do you hate Nightmare Moon? Do you ever shunned her of her past that everypony told you about it? If you ever encounter her, would you ever........destroy her?" she asked him turning away from him, to hide something that she never felt before........her cheek feeling wet; she was........crying. This was it though, her mind raced. If he founds out that I'm that monster, would he......hate me......kill me.......? "I don't hate Nightmare Moon." That all he said with a sympathy tone which she turned with a hint of surprised tone to it. "What? Why? After all that she been through as a evil and selfish monster......" her sentence cut short when he wiped the tears of her face. He knew that she was that monster from that story. His eyes already known who she actually she is! That calm and gentleness of those azure eyes. "Because, I know that she was alone. Alone with nopony to have her as a friend and family to care for her. She made a few mistakes in the past but every life deserve a second chance, maybe even a third chance and so forth. She maybe a monster at first but what I see so far is she becoming a pony who needs a friend. A friend that never leave her side for infinity and beyond life. As long as I'm here, I won't let any life suffer. Even it may cost a few life or may even mine, I'll rather do it for those who were suffering." his eyes shimmer with a spark of hope along with a tone of gentleness and kindness added to him. "If your that monster, I find a way to remove that dark half of yours and give you life so you can amends of the past. Even if the ponies are still against you, I'll protect you to my life end." All of his vow, no, his solemn promise, to be a friend to her, a monster of a dark entity that threaten the universe become a living pony with a heart and emotion that suffer so much sadness and loneliness that she suffer from the princess of the moon did, was too much for her heart to be gifted with something that she want to find for all of eternity........hope. Hope that you when your alone, you realize that there're others who willing to care for you, and he's the hope. Her hope. She can no longer contain her growing tears, dripping from her eyes, as she hugged him so tightly that he allow him to give her some comfort, hearing growing sobs from her, dripping from his neck yet just keep holding a sadden smile. After what to be 10 minutes, she finally calm down and feeling little guilty. He told her that he's going to get dinner for them as he headed out and picked up some water from the waterfall and some grass near to the lake along with getting huge leaves from the trees. Once he gather, he return to the cave and made plates out of the huge leaves and serve with the grass and some water made out of the remaining leaves. "John......" she whispered trying to find the right words but stammered as she looked to his eyes with conern. "I.......I......." "Don't. Eat." he said with each one sentence passing the plate to her and to himself. "But...." "You were suffering right? From your darkness?" she nodded slowly, still lower her head. "That's all I need to know." He start to eat his meal while she look to hers and eat it in silence. As the fire still dancing around the flames, the two ponies finished their meals as John put the platted leaves away while Night stared at him, getting ready to sleep as he laid down on his back and gaze at the cave ceiling. "John", she asked him breaking the silence as she laid on her back too near to him as he look to her. "How did you know that I was........" she mumbled before saying that she despise to say. "Nightmare Moon?" "Well......I heard you while I was sleeping yesterday." he then return to gaze back at the ceiling. Night widened her eyes at it. He already heard him speaking with her dark side all along about the plan that it forced her to do?! "You see, I had some uneasy sleep because of some of the side effects that the book transfer me , so I was about to get something to drink when I heard you talking to your dark self and the plan that it forced want you to do you don't want to do. I didn't tell you this because if I did.....then........" "I might abandon you already?" she replied which he nodded. "Yeah, so I decide to keep it in the dark, to make sure I don't lose the only pony that saved me from drowning and........." he turn to his side and face her. "my friend." "I see......" she muttered, feeling guility. "Night...." "Hmmmm...." "Tomorrow, I going to get some stuff from Ponyville. Anything for me to prepare for my mission." he said. "Mission?" she asked him curiously. "To steal the Elements of Harmony. And to create a body for you and purge the darkness out of you." She winced at this, jerk her head back up. "What?! Why?!" "Because I don't want you live in this cave all by yourself in your mist form. Once I use anything that I going to find, I'm going to make sure that you'll get a second chance to redeem for your mistakes in the past." he explained. "So even if I turned into a criminal, I'll rather not let you suffer." "John......." she whispered worried of this. "We'll talk about this by tomorrow. It's getting late." "Ok, good night." she said. "Good night." John repeated. As both turned to their side, Night begun to think about herself, John.......that's what my dark side want you to do........and if that happen........then.......all ponies will be....in grave danger........ She then almost lost herself into a sleep before her words echo to her head, In order to protect everypony and you.........I............ > Thief and Preparation > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- In a dark abyss, Twilight looked around for any sign of anything come, but so far only darkness. She then proceed to walk around the hallow abyss until she saw something that she thought that it come from the mirror world she went before : a young girl with a white dress and a white hair. "Who are you?" she asked only to nothing came out from her who she then stared at her with a neutral expression. "Why are you here?" she asked her again only the same result. Then the mysterious girl smile at her and begin to speak in a tone that somewhat similar to Princess Celestia, "You are the one." "Huh?" she tilted her head in confusion. "You are the one who can help him; To find what he lost in those memories." she explained. "Him? Who are you talking about? Who is that colt or stallion are you mention?!" she frantically asked her but she ignored her and kept explaining more. "The book cannot be open by mere magics; It can only open by the trials that he faced with you and your friends. However, it only revealed to you alone for every pages only appeared to the chosen one." "Only me? Why me?" she asked. The mysterious book cannot be open by any Equestrian magics? And why only her that her friends cannot see the pages? But before she can asked more question, a bright light engulf the dark abyss and the young girl. "Wait! Please, who is the pony that I had to help him?!" she begin to disappeared too as everything glared off in a flash. She shot up from her bed, sweating from that dream with the strange girl, breathing quickly and heavily. She then saw Spike, looking at her worried. "Twilight, calm down! It's just a nightmare that you're having. You ok?" he said as he gave her a wet cloth and a cup of water. "Yeah, I-I'll be all right, thanks." she wiped of the sweat from her forehead and taking a sip. She then gaze at the sun rising from the blankets of the night skies, becoming dawn. "Are still caught up with the mysterious book?" Spike asked, placed his claw hand on her shoulder to comfort her. "Yeah, there was a strange human girl with a white dress told me that it cannot be open by any Equestrian magics; only by the trials by a guy that can help recover what he lost in his memories." she explained, still shocked by her dreams. "So this 'human girl', like the one from the mirror world, appeared in your dreams and told you that this book can recover memories of a stallion or a colt?" she nodded. "Twilight, you've been thinking about that book so much." he walked to his bed and wrapped himself in his blanket. "Get some sleep, will ya? A goodnight sleep will take your mind off of it." And with that, he fallen into a deep sleep, leaving Twilight gaze at the window. She got out of her bed, walking to it and open it, to let the cool breeze blow away of the nightmare that she had. Just who is that girl.......and why she asked me to help one guy that I don't know who? Does this guy had some connection to the strange anomalies? Guess I'll figure that out by tomorrow. she thought as she return to her bed, closing the window and went back to her deep sleep. However not noticing through the window of Ponyville, a shadow blur swiftly around the library, as with a quiet tactics, it sneak past them and headed down to the library. A azure aura then levitate some of the books as one point when it pulled out of the shelves, it almost dropped to the floor but caught it already before the impact. Then it then look upstairs to see if either Spike or Twilight was awakened but so far they still on their deep sleep. Then it found the mysterious books and quickly took it and rushed out to the window with all of the books now on it's possession it stole. In the Carousel Boutique, Rarity was sleeping soundly with dreams of her award winning dresses that going to be the biggest thing for Canterlot. Her dresses were onto the dress form mannequins with gemstones that she might asked 'Spikey - Wikey' to helped her finding some (and perhaps using her skills to annoyed the Diamond Dogs to find more gemstones). Then the clothes were now enveloped in the same azure and quietly removed from the mannequins and floated downstairs and as the door now enveloped by the same color open the door outside and closed it quietly once the clothes is outside. Then the dark mist swiftly away from the Carousel Boutique. In the Sweet Apples Acres, the crickets were playing their music as the apples orchard now ripen with red juice apples ready for the Applebucking season by tomorrow. However the dark mist quickly headed to one of the trees and taking shaped of a pony, he created a azure sword and with great force, cut the apple tree which he caught it under the azure aura and doing again through half of it and quickly headed to the next town. In the Sugarcube Corner, the same azure aura now enveloped a huge cake and just like the Carousel Boutique, the door open it quietly and now under the dark mist possession as with all of the stuff that it stole, it now quickly headed to the Everfree Forest. Once the dark mist reached to the waterfall, it set it down all of the stuff as the dark mist now transformed back into a familiar orange clad pony. "Got all of the stuff, Night. Now we can use it to prepare to get the Elements." John said as he use his hoof and swipe and take a bite of the cake. "Thanks for leading me with your magic." "It's no problem, John. Although I lend you some of mine, you need to be careful of excess it." Night replied sat down with him as she too start having some cake. "I mean to ask you, why you stole these clothes? These thing might not be useful for your mission." "No they not, but they provide as blankets for us." he then gave her one of the clothes to her. "For comfort and warmth." "John........" she muttered. "You don't had to do this for me." "I had to, Night. You being suffer far too long and I do everything in my power to give hope and a second chance in life as a individual pony. After all, that's why I'm here, right?" he said which she lower her head down. "We'll talk about this latter. Good night, Night." he then use one of the clothes and turn to his side for better sleep condition. "Yeah......Good Night." she then turn to her side and remember of him deciding to steal the resources. Flashback At the cave, while Night slept peacefully, John stared at the ceiling, thinking of what Night is actually is. Night is actually Nightmare Moon, a monster of darkness once tried to envelop Equestria into a eternal night, but now she starting to become a living being who also having suffer containing her dark side. And now, he, a rare alicorn colt with a amnesia want to help her to give a second chance to live life in Equestria with a strangest power that he had to do it along with those strangest memories somewhat coming back. He got to his four hooves and quietly shake her. "Night, wake up. Night." She stirred from her sleep and gaze at him. "John, why are still up? It's almost midnight; you should get some sleep." "I know, but can you lend me some of your magic?" she shot her head up at his request. " I'm going to Ponyville and steal some stuff from it." "Why?!" she asked him incredulous yet trying to keep her voice low. "What made you think that insane idea? Don't you know that your going to label as a thief from all ponies?!" "I know but if you can lend me some of your magic, then I can use your mist power to take some of the stuff without being seeing; like I become the shadow of the night." "John......." concerning from her voice raised. "Listen, the more we hide and waited for who knows how long to master my powers, the harder that we going to survive here if the season comes; If I can use some of the spells, I'll might learning faster and get the chance to save you from your dark half." he explained with a hint of reasoning. She then look down on the ground, thinking of this idea until she sighed. "All right." She got to her hooves and use her magic as a dark purple now enveloped him as it touches his horn as his eyes now glowed with dark purple as his horn absorb it and turning it into the familiar azure blue color along with his eyes too. After that, he panted a bit feeling the effect of the magic that Night lend him. He then use his horn and imagine himself turned into a mist as his horn flared up and he become the dark mist. "Thank you, Night. I promise I won't be that long." And with that he now headed outside of the cave, leaving her alone as she had a soft smile now turn into a sadden expression. End Flashback "John.....you had a good soul and a good heart." she muttered quietly to not let him hear her. "But your choice to help others is on the wrong path. I know you and I now understand each other, but you also suffering yourself to handle all of the burdens by yourself and if anything happen to me. That's why I need to entrust to them that they can show you the right path and share all of your burdens." She then quietly drift back into her deep sleep for the new morning. The next morning, as the sun raised up in Ponyville, the bright light stirred Twilight from her sleep as she turn to her side but open her eyes a bit as she yawn a bit. She then make her bed neatly and headed to the mirror only to found her mane to be in a mess. She use her brush to make it back to her beauty neat form as with a satisfied smile she then headed to Spike's bed and shake him. "Spike, wake up." she whispered which at first he turn to his side, then open his eyes, groggily. "Morning already?" he scratched his back as he yawn a bit. "Well better go make breakfast for us, Twilight." With a nodded, both of them headed down stairs only to found Twilight to had a widen eyes and mouth at a agape at this sight. She then trotted to the sight where the mysterious book was placed only to found that it was gone. "The mysterious book is gone!" she exclaimed as she frantically searched from the bookshelves. "Uh, Twilight, it's not just the mysterious book is gone! Some of the books from this section is gone too!" Spike pointed out as she trotted to his side and saw half of the books were missing too. "Oh no no no no no no!" she then walking around in circle, gone into panic. "Princess Celestia and Princess Luna entrusted me to uncover the secret of the mysterious book and now somepony stole it along with the two other books! How am I going to explain to them? They might that I failed at this important task! This is bad, what am I-" Her sentence was cut short when Spike grab her shoulder and shake her, snapping out of her panic mode. "Snap out of it!" "Huh?" "Listen, you don't want to end up of what happen last time right?!" she nodded for her that she never seen him with a glare from him, so seriously. "Good, now we need to calm down and tried to think of what happen." "Your right, Spike." she then place her hoof onto her chin, trying to think of this scene. "Ok, so somepony stole the mysterious book, meaning that somepony own that book. And," she look at the empty shelves. "also stole five books of commonly use of using basic magics." "But what would anypony want with them?" Spike asked. "These books are hardly borrow for unicorns fillies who now starting to use magic." Just as she about to think more, a high pitched screamed was heard, causing Twilight and Spike to clamp their ears blocking of that scream. As outside, ponies did the same as the scream echoed through out the town. Twilight and Spike now trotted outside and follow the screamed to the location of Carousel Boutique where both of them enter and saw Rarity fainted. "Rarity!!!!" Both of them helped her get up as she starting to breath quickly and heavily, like she saw something horrifying or something else. "Twilight!!! And Spikey - Wikey!!!!!" She grabbed both of their cheeks with a shocking expression. "Thank goodness you came!! Somepony stole all of my award winning dresses!!!!!" She showed them the empty mannequins to where once the hard working clothes that she worked on. "All of my hard working design and ideas, now gone!! THIS! IS! THE! WORST! POSSIBLE! THING! EVER!" she screamed as she brought out her chair and cried onto her pillow. Spike patted on her legs to sooth her while Twilight did the same. "Oh, Rarity I'm sorry that your award winning dresses were stolen. But we also got one of our stuff stolen too." Twilight sympathetic said which Rarity then look at them with her mascara dripping down a bit. "Some of our books were stolen along with the mysterious book too." "Oh, darling, I'm sorry that you also got your stuff robbed too." Rarity said, wiping her tears and patted her shoulder which she smiled. Then Twilight shot her head up with a idea. "Wait, if your stuff is stolen along with ours too, then that's means....?!" The others realize that idea as they dashed out of the Boutique and headed to Sweet Apple Acres only to found that they saw Applejack coming to them. "Twilight!! Rarity!! Let me guess somepony robbed something from your homes?!" Applejack asked which they nodded. "Well you not going to believe this but you had to come to see this!" As they now followed her to Sweet Apple Acres, what they found is something worst that made their mouth at agape at this sight : half of the apple trees were now cut and only left is the bark of the trees. Who ever did this had a powerful magic to do something awful. Applejack then bring her hat to her face to cover her straying tears but couldn't hold her choked sobs. "Oh those precious trees, now gone! Our families' bread and butter now gone!" She then put her hat back, with a angry scowl. "Why when I get m'ah hooves on who ever did this, I'm gonna buck him for ruining m'ah farm!" She then buck another tree with a great force, venting out her anger and sorrow. Both ponies then tried to comfort her, Spike patted her legs along with Rarity and Twilight placed their hoofs on her shoulder. "I'm so sorry about that darning but you can try to replant new apple trees to replace them.", Rarity console her which she sighed and had a soft smile. "Your right. Thanks Rarity." she turned to Twilight and Spike. "You too Twil' and Spike." With taking deep breaths to calm the anger, Applejack said, "We better go check with the others. Had a feeling that they might be robbed too-" As on cue, another high pitched scream was heard from the distance. Knowing of that familiar scream, they now headed to Sugarcube Corner only to found when enter, Pinkie kept screaming just like how her cake, the 'MMMM' was mutiuated when enter the National Dessert Competition on the train with the other entranst, as the others turned they found that one of the cake, or rather a familiar cake that they know from a while ago, was stolen too. Applejack clamp her mouth to stop the screaming with a annoyed expression. "Pinkie! Calm down and stop screaming like a Banshee!" "Okay!" she muffled and calm down with a big gasp for breath. "Pinkie, did you also got one of your stuff stolen too?" Twilight asked which she nodded. "Yes, one of my cakes that I tried to recreate, the 'MMMM' was stolen too! And I thought that it might be the other entranst from before but I realize that they'll never do that consider that they take pride on their creation desserts. So I tried to find clues but some reason I couldn't because who ever stole it might use magic and-" "Wait!" Twilight interrupted her sentence. "You said that the thief stole it using magic?" She nodded. "Well, duh! I would never lie! I made a Pinkie Promise not to lie to my friends!" "So some of the pieces are together, " Twilight muttered using her mystery skills as Applejack, Rarity, Spike, and Pinkie Pie take glanced at her. She then face her friends, "Girls meet me at the library. Bring Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy along too. I think I know what happen." They all nodded as they exit out of the Sugarcube Corner to meet up with her at the Golden Oak Library. At the waterfall, John gave a big yawn and stretch his legs in a cat manner as he scratching his mane, feeling drooping. He then head to entrance and start drinking some water from the fountain and getting soaked from his head to his body, feeling refresh. After shake off the coldness of the water, he then start to around the forest and getting more grass, water, and fire woods. Once he got enough, he then headed back to the cave where he saw Night, still sleeping peacefully as he then placed more fire wood on the fire, igniting the bright flames. He then use a stick to move the fire to let it consume more of it. He then heard a groan as he spoke out, "Glad your awake, Night. Have a good sleep?" "Well, being a mist like pony, I'll say I did." she walked to him slowly. "So you went to get more woods and rations?" "Well I had to; for our home." he replied, wrapping some of the grass into the sticks and start to roasting it in a rotisserie style. He then grab the mysterious book and show it to her. "Night, this is the book that gave me the data drain power and...the new style that I starting to be fond of it." She levitate from his hoof and start to use her magic open it but unfortunately, it remained shut; she even tried to use any magic that she can think of, but so far it remained the same. "No use, this book is impossible to open it, even with my magic to open it." She then returned to him in which much to their surprise, John actually open it. "Wha-?" "I don't believe it....." she muttered. John then turn the pages only to find that all of the pages were still blank. Blank, blank, blank, blank.......wait. He then squinted his eyes and saw something that his mouth at agape. Words. The first page is now with words. "The book. How- what?!" he stuttered at this revelation. For the first time, a page was written on the book. But how? Nopony ever wrote on to it. He then start to read the passage : For my time everyday, I woke up in my small yet comfort room. All I had in it was a computer and a special set, allow me to set my life onto a new world. A new world that was brought with legends that defies data and magic or rather becoming one. Ruled by a goddess that gave birth, death, and rebirth, this world was brought new legends throughout years. Only one name for this place that hopefully to take the mantle of the legendaries heroes, the one that saved many people from comatose and death, Dot Hackers.............THE WORLD. "The world? Dot Hackers?" Night asked in confusion in which John shrugged in the same manner before close the book. "Never before I hear those before?" "Neither do I; But......," he paused to think about the dream. "I do believe that I heard those names in my dreams only because the side effect of the book." "I see." "Looks like breakfast is ready." he headed to the campfire and start to pass out roasted grass to her as both start to eat. Night bright her eyes with something that she never felt........pure happiness. "Wow, John I didn't know that your good at cooking; That was awesome." He scratch the back of his mane in embarrassment. "Thanks, but I didn't how or why. Guess that I got so many hidden talents." "It's that true, then what's your mark represent?" she point to the hexagon shaped cutie mark on his flank. "Are you good with shapes?" "To be honest, I just woke with this, so I don't remember how I got it." he sincerely apologize to her. Once they finished their meals, she start to teach him how to use some of the spells that he got from the book. From the basic teleportation, he ace very quickly, teleport places of the cave, then the basic levitation, he practice using the pebbles to lift out, she taught him that he needs to feel of lifting them like his hooves. Next is a self defense beam attack, as usual he able to fire his azure beam magic which had a raw power, indicated by a blast on the wall. After for like 20 minutes, he then start to flipping through the pages to find a spell that can assist him in his preparation of his mission but so far he done all of the easy spells that he did, until he found the last pages that was........well written in not pony language. "Night, can you tell me of this spell?" he asked her as she trotted to his side. "I can't even understand of this one." She widen her eyes at this spell and said, "That I can't help you with this." "Why?" "This one is the most dangerous spell that pony ever use that it was forbidden. It allows you to engulf yourself with a flames and use it whenever the user desire. So far nopony every unlock that spell nor how to control it.", she explained. "Hmmmm....." he then start to think about it, wonder if.......he can control it. Just as his right hoof touch the pages, his 'bracelet' starting to do something to the pages : the 'data' start to scan the pages and with it, a magic screen pop out of the pages, then decoded the non pony language which both John and Night were surprise at this. "Guess that my 'bracelet' is very special." he muttered as once it finished decoded the instructions, John found it why it's hard for anypony to use that forbidden power : to use any elements requires a sheer amount of magics and a strong mind to use such that spell. Despite that, he then said to her with a determination, "I'm going to use it." "What?" she flabbergasted at his decision. "John, that spell is forbidden to anypony use it because it can cause so much strain on your alicorn magic." "Even so, I'll had to use it. If I need the strength to help you get a second chance, then I'll do whatever it takes to give you a new hope.", he set the book down as he start to cast it. He ready his horn, grunted as his horn now engulf in a azure blue aura, start to chant of this spell as his azure blue aura start to sparks azure flames as the spell as once he finished chant it, his eyes glowed brightly start to float around as his horn shot up azure flames then consume him in a vortex. Night shielded her eyes using her wings, then a bright glowed blasted out the vortex as John floated down, panted. With his eyes open, his eyes now had the azure blue flames as his hooves start to cover in the same flames as his eyes. After that, he then put out the flames, returning to normal and gave her a grin. "That wasn't so hard." "How did you-?" she stuttered at this revelation. "Well, to start my 'bracelet' able to absorb of the spells, acting as a backup generator and by letting myself feeling 'a spark', I'm able to control it well." he explained to her, showing her 'Twilight Bracelet' now covered in the azure blue flames. "Wow, to think you are the one who actually now control the flames in your body." she amazed by his attempt then look at his bracelet. "That bracelet is truly special." "Yeah," he gaze back to it. "truly a remarkable item." He then turned to another book and start to flipping the pages until he found a certain spell that list as : Creation Spell. He then read the headlining of it; so far this spell can allow you to create anything from a certain objects. Then a flashed from his mind showed Kite from the dreams holding the twin daggers. After that, he look at the apple tree, which half of the apples start to fall down and some are wither away. Then an idea came as he then trotted to it and now lower his horn and cast the spell. The azure aura start engulf the tree, cutting the tree and the branches, as a various aura of blacksmith tools start to turn the tree, into a wooden daggers different from the one that he saw in his dreams. Instead of the S shaped guards it now had a curve guards and the blade doesn't have the ancient text to it and the handle now have a orb with a spike protuted on top of it. With that, he use his magic once more and with his bracelet, a metallic aura rushed through the wooden daggers along with the data from his bracelet, transforming it from the wooden blades, handles and hand guards into real metallic silver blades, metallic black handles (the orb spike transform into metallic silver) and the hand guards now in a metallic dark brown guards. He levitate the new weapon creation and examine it. It was light weighted and very sharped; much like the one Kite use it. He then focus on his new azure flame powers to connect to his new twin blades then at the right time, his daggers now lighted up with the same azure blue flames. "What is this weapon you made?" Night came to his side and examine the new weapon. "Judging by the design, I say that it require you to wield it using your magic." "Actually, I want to use it from my hooves." he replied, standing on his hind legs, then surprising he grabbed it from his hooves, putting them in a reverse grip easily, and then doing various battle pose. "Why are you in your hind legs?" Night asked him, confused by his action. "I don't know. I just felt like I want to stand like that." he replied as he then turned to the opening of the cave. "C'mon, Night. My training isn't going to start by itself." With him heading out, Night just smiled at about to follow him but then a sharp pain struck her, causing her to clutch her body and knee down as this pain, gritted her teeth. She then look at her hoof which is now starting to envelop in a deeper blacken aura as she use her magic to dissipate the dark aura, taking deep breath as she got back up. She then continue to headed outside, with an echo from her head rang, I had to hurry.......time is running out........... At the library, all of Twilight's friends gather here and sat as they explained to each of the stuff that the thief stole from them however it turns out from both of the pegasus that the thief didn't steal something from both Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash which at first that Pinkie piped up thinking that maybe the thief isn't a pegasus which Twilight rolled her eyes, knowing that unless that the thief might use a cloud walking spell to cast, it would be impossible to get to Rainbow's home and maybe the thief don't had value on stealing something from Fluttershy's cottage because of the animals living here. She then makes a point out of the situation of the mysterious book's connection of lost memories, the young human girl chosen her to help him, and the thief might had a connection to it. "......So that's it. My hypothesis is that whoever this thief is, may had the power to open the mysterious book and each of the things that our possession that we have is stolen is......" she paused to get the right statement. " ..........something to survive so he can unlock the secret of it." "So your tell me that pony thief is the key to the mysterious book and this 'human girl' that's somewhat similar to the portal world, chosen you to help him because of these lost memories?" Rarity said, understanding her explanation which she nodded. "But why? Who's this girl that chosen you?" Fluttershy asked as Twilight lowered her head. "I don't know.......but all I know is that she had a white hair, white clothes and skirt and her voice sounded similar to Princess Celestia." "A girl that's similar to Princess Celestia?" Rainbow said, earning another nodded from her "Don't you think that it's a dream that you had, Twilight?" "Well, I thought so but the way she appeared in mine isn't coincidence; I never met this girl during in the portal world with Spike. As if she appeared when......." she raised her eyes in realization "when we founded the mysterious book during the strange anomalies happening in Equestria." The others gasped at her statement. Everything that happen around of these strange anomalies resolve around with the mysterious book and the thief who stole it 'back' from them. But what these anomalies means? What do they had a connection through the book and the thief? And this girl, just who is that? Why she's sounded similar to Princess Celestia? Do they had a connection? No, that wouldn't be possible......or is it? "So how we're going to find that thief?" Applejack asked "How we're going to find him if we don't know who is or where does he live?" Twilight sighed, "Honesty, I don't know. But until then, we need to report of unusual thing going around to the Princess." The others nodded as they now exit out the library, leaving Twilight and Spike alone of this situation. She sighed as she began to order new replacement of the books along with reporting of her and her friends have their stuff including the mysterious book and the connection to thief along with the mysterious girl in her dreams to Princess Celestia. "Are you sure you want to this, Twilight?" Spike concern of her decision. "We had no choice, Spike. If those events happen because of that book, then we need some assistance and to find that thief and interrogate him of his connection of that book and the strange anomalies." With Spike breath out his emerald dragon breath along with the letter heading to Princess Celestia, she and Spike gaze at the afternoon sun now bathed Ponyville. In the Everfree Forest, each of the trees bears a marks, marks that no timberwolves can scratch that hard as quietly as above high of the trees, a blast of data burst out, waking out the animals under their sleep and scatter from that noise. From that data burst, John in his orange clad suit now in his hind legs perfectly without losing his balance as his hind legs shuffled and bend, getting ready in a battle stance, holding his newly twin daggers in a reverse grip. His eyes now bore a knife at a tree and with a quick dash, he now slash the bark of the trees with quick thrust and switching his left reverse grip and impale the tree with great force. Then with his battle cry, he slash it upward and pull out his left dagger from the tree and switch it back to reverse grip, he then cut the tree in half, tumbling down. After catching his breath, he wipe the sweat off of his head. "Ok, I getting hang of attacking but I need to fight something that can attacked me so I can defend and read their movements to counterattack." "Looks like you're doing well." Night came out of the forest with a hint of impress. "That magic that you cast, able to be faster than a normal pegasus." "Looks likely." he muttered before he turn to her. "I still need to practice more if I want to start my mission. Do you think that you can create dummies that can fight me?" She nodded as she lowered her horn as a dark blue aura covered her horn, then with a grunted she cast something out of her horn as three misty like beings were created : one became a pony, the other changed into a griffon, and finally the third one transform into a dragon. With them now ponce at him, John got into his battle stand, twirling his weapons then grip it as he charged at them as the pony mist use its hind legs to buck him but then he blocked it using his weapons as he jump out of the way, then the griffon mist use its claws to slash him, only to him to block it as he deliver him a roundhouse kick as the dragon roared as it breath out crimson fire from its mouth at him but instead of dodging out of the way, he stay in his position as switching his reverse grip to normal, he slash the flames in a v style, reflecting the flames in a diagonally direction, surprising Night at this technique. Then as his blades now envelop in a azure flames as switching to reverse grip, he charged at the dragon as it tried to swipe him away but with a jump from him and landed on the back, he strike it with great speed as his azure flames able to do more damage than his regular strikes as with a hammering blow from his knee kick, the dragon stumble from that attack and fall down. With both the griffon and the pony charged at him as he kept blocking his attack as when the pony about to buck him again, he jump out of the way, making it to buck the griffon instead. With the griffon stun a bit, he turned to the pony who then charged at him head on as with a back flipped, he dive down to the back, pluming it down to the ground as he gave another knee kick from the griffon when about to swipe him as he strike it with a sword dance causing it to knee on its knee next to the others. Then as he put his weapon away, he then use his bracelet as the familiar winged star middle data cannon was formed as he target all of them with a scream, he fired it as purple datas impaled all three of them as it absorb it back to him but instead of turning them into stones, what happen to them is they now transformed into their baby forms. "All right!" he said, as the misty beings now turned back into mist and returning them to Night. He turned to her back to his four legging hooves and nodded. "I'm able to switch my function of my bracelet." "Mmmm....." she nodded with a smile. "Looks like you're able to use well without taking a life away from a being." "Yeah, but my guess that it's more than just one function." He showed her bracelet showing different types of effects. One of them is the life steal turned into stone, the Regular function, the other ones that he used on, the Chimis function able him to revert them back to their newborn or baby forms, and the final one something that he cringed at this function, able to extracts the life away from a being and destroy them, the End function. "Each of them had a effect that can be beneficial to help me with my mission. Only the End function is like the last resort as knowing that it takes life and destroy them; something that I will not use that accursed function." "John, you may not like to use it, but when you facing dangers that you only had one choice to make, one that require you to take one life away to save the others, you need to use it whatever you like or not." Night explained to him which he sighed sadly at that statement. "I guess so...." he muttered, not liking that idea but no choice to accept it. "Good, now I think that's enough training, John." she said, turning back to the forest. "We should headed back home to do it again tomorrow." With a nodded, he followed her as before that, he stare at the skies now setting in the dusk with a never ending determination look. Knowing that he needs to be ready to go on his mission. The mission to save his dear friend's life and give her a second chance to live........to live.........even he'll banned as a criminal. I promise that I'll stay with Night to my life ends. Whenever she goes, even in the deepest darkness, I'll be there too........... his thoughts raced as he catch up to her to home. > The Successor of the Dot Hackers > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Another fuzzy imagine is starting to clear up, revealing buildings that he somewhat walking to a big building with all of the strange bipedals that he saw last time in his dream but as they turned they all have a somewhat stares at him, as he turned back and saw two other bipedals with him. Just like the last time, the imagine of them starting to fuzz up into statics......... John felt his body comfort of the blanket of clothes that he stole as he open his eyes and feeling groggily. With a stretch of his body along with scratching his mane, he then headed to outside and start to wash his eyes, getting off of the dirt and also soaking his body, waking up from its slumber. As he look up to the skies, the dawn blankets starting to rise up the sun and give off the beauty of the shining rays, sparking the waterfall. Now feeling energize, he then start to gather more rations and water along with more firewoods, he then headed back to the cave and starting to cook the meals. He then view of the items that he stole from yesterday. The cake that he stole starting to becoming stale but yet he kept eating it, getting more of the sweetness from it. As for the clothes, the once beauty of them starting to have stains and tears from it as the apple tree, the apples starting to rotten and fall down that he grabbed it and burn it into ashes. As for the books, some of the pages are caught in the wetness of the cave dripping down from the upper ceiling including the covers protecting it. The only that haven't been covered in dirt or water is the mysterious book. He usually gripped it when he sleep, still feeling of being attach to it for unknown reason but never the less, he felt like it's the last connection to something that he want to never let go of. His lost past of his life. Once the meals cooked in perfection, he gaze at Night still sleeping in peacefully. He turned and sigh as he set the plates ready along with the water too along with his as thinking of his training, he headed outside, getting some early training before breakfast. Sure that you need energy to do whatever you need to do, but he want to prepare himself more for his mission. With a small breeze blew through his mane, he changed into his orange clad suit only this time, his twin blades appeared upon his transformation. With that he grabbed them and start to imagine himself facing his imaginary foes surrounded him as he jump, dodge and block along with giving them a roundhouse kick, knee kick, strike slash, strike thrust, and a few of hammered punch and a mighty haymaker. Feeling that his adrenaline ran out while catching his breath, he heard a gentle voice that he knew too well. "Having a feeling you be here." He turned and saw Night, with her gentle smile. Something that he founded it attached to it but still had a non smile expression, "Are you going to eat? You need some energy to survive." "Yes but," she use her magic to levitate his meal too "you need it too. Can't do anything without an empty stomach, could you?" Never had the feeling to argue with her, he sighed upon defeat and put his weapon back to his skirt which disappeared into his azure flames. Then he grabbed it through his magic and start to eat while staring at the lake still sparkling like the stars that twinkle in the morning along with Night sat down on her haunches with him. Everything was something peaceful here in his, no, their new home with only them that they can stay forever and never be part of each other. Surely that he felt like something still missing in his heart, but he didn't mind that. As long Night is here with him, he always had a reason to be here and a reason to live life in Equestria. Everything is in silence , only the waterfall crashing down to the lake can be hear but nothing that matter to them. It was peaceful enough for this scenery to be in silence. Until Night decide to break the silence."John?" "Hmmmm....." he turned to her. "You always highly think of me so much. You accept me when you realize that I'm an embodiment of darkness as friend. Something that nopony ever gave me the chance to warm me up. You want me to get a second chance in life to make up for the damage that I did when I was....." she cringed at what she going to say, " a monster. A new chance to live life as a individual pony. How is that your so willing to help me despite of my dark past?" "Having a feeling you're going to ask that." he turned to the clear blue skies. "I guess is that maybe you and I are somewhat similar." This surprise her at his statement. What would that she and him are similar? Surely that he didn't turned into a monster but decide to stay silence as he continue to explained more. "When I woke up with an amnesia like you said, I felt that I was.....already an outsider. I guess that maybe there's nopony that might accept me so I felt that I don't belong here......until I met you. I know that your heart is filled with sadness and sorrow along with the void of darkness but that's how my heart is like now. Everything that I spent time with you and helping you, I felt that my void is gone and replace with warmth that I been longing to feel. Maybe is because I don't have a parent or any family members that I known. But with you, I now realize I finally found one. That's why........I want to keep fighting for those I care.....is because I don't want to lose something precious to me. You and I are alone but as long we're together, then our hearts can transform our void into a a warmth that we always want it." Night was too stunned at words. He felt that he doesn't have a family members to take care of him and now under her watch, she became a family to him. His only one. She turned to see her reflection of the lake and then holds a small yet cute smile. How she glad that she able to save him from him drowning the lake otherwise, he might not had a future nor she'll had one too. "Th-thanks you, John." she said with a kindness tone, which he nodded. As he finished his meal and drinking his water, he then got back up to his hind legs. "Ok, time to get back to training!" With that, he then pulled out his twin daggers and start to battle his imaginary foes again who he always think that they want to get payback at him. But just like his first sparring match, he able to block, dodge, and doing a strike thrust and strike slash along with his mighty haymaker, etc. Night then watches him continue to sparring his imaginary foes, feeling happy. Not of him going into mission that he so long to keep that promise, but of him being with her. She then close her eyes and begin to know when the time comes, she'll need to find somepony to entrust her of taking care of him. Her friend. No, her first 'son'. And she knows a pony that can do the job or rather ponies to do it. She then open her eyes and start to teach him more of his self defense. In the morning of Ponyville, ponies begin to do their daily business as Twilight and Spike came back to the library with grocery on them. As they put the grocery away, Twilight felt lost into her thoughts about happen lately. The thief stole the mysterious book that she tasked to find the secret of it, the mysterious girl appeared in her dreams, and thief's connection to it. Could those means a sign of something of an danger far beyond that Equestria that ever seen? All of this happening is starting to fried her brain a bit with unanswered meaning. She just wished that once everything is over, everything can go back to the way it was. "Twilight?" Spike's voiced snapped out of her trance as she turned her head to his side, getting ready to cook. "You ok? Are still await for our friends to report of anything unusual?" She nodded taking a gaze through the skies from her window. "Yeah, I guess I felt......uneasy of what happening yesterday. Everything that's happening in Equestria.........I felt that me and my friends were...........powerless to prevent it." She lowered her head at her sentence with regret but then she felt a touch from her shoulder and look at Spike who was worried. "Don't say that. You and your friends aren't powerless." Spike console her. "As long as your bonds with them stay strong, I'm sure that you girls will find a way." She smiled at his attempt to cheer her up. "Thanks, Spike." Just as he getting ready to make lunch, a loud crash was heard from the main wing as Twilight rolled her eyes, knowing the one who did. She then headed and founded Rainbow, now under the piles of books, rubbing her head from the impact that she did. "Rainbow, at least use the door!" she scolded, while Spike groaned as he start to re shelving the pile of books again. "Sorry Twilight," she got back up, one of the books bonk her head as she rub it. "just practicing my moves and still no report for anything unusual here." "And the others?", she asked her "Did they?" "Nope, nothing out of the usual.", she answered which she sighed as she helping Spike re shelve half of the books. After a few minutes, Spike headed back to the kitchen, preparing lunch for them. Rainbow follow Twilight, going on her same pace and asked her, "You know, this strange anomalies is getting out of hoof lately. Some of the Wonderbolt cadets reported of being missing for unknown reason and I tried to look for them but so far not a sign of them." "I hear you, " she said "also some of the Canterlot rich ponies are also reported missing too. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna did their best to find them but also some of the Royal Guards are also reported missing too when they go on a search." "Until we solve this mystery, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna won't allowed to send more of the Royal Guards unless any dangers comes.", she finished explaining her, taking her seat along with Rainbow too as Spike passed out his lunch creation : a salad with some apples toppings onto it. As Spike got his leftover crystal meals that he saved and set on the table, they all start eating, still having a worried expression of the missing ponies increased. "Hey cheer up, Twilight. We don't want you to mope around of what happening." Rainbow placed her hoof on her shoulder "If I was Pinkie, I would say just smile!" Twilight chuckled at the fond memories that she shared with her friends. "Thanks, Rainbow." "Yeah, so c'mon!" she cheerfully jump and hover. "The others are waiting for us at the Town Hall!" With that, she finished her meals as she and Spike headed outside to meet the others. Hopefully that at least she lucky to had friends. John then sat down on his haunches, panted of all of the training that he did. He remove his hat as he let the cool breeze blew through his mane, close his eyes and laid down to rest on the grass. "Whew! Looks......like.......I........getting.......the......hang......of.......this....." he said, trying to catch his breath. "More likely you master everything I taught you." Night answered as she laid on the same side as him as they gaze the skies and feeling the wind. "Yeah.......you can.....say.....that......again......" he chuckled, showing her his smile. His first smile that he had. Night saw this and start to laugh a bit which earn a confused look from him."What's so funny, Night?" "Well you smile. I never knew your smile can be that cute." she remarked, making him blush and starting to laugh a bit. "I guess I felt that way when you are here with me." he said as he got back gazing the clear blue skies with the white marshmallow clouds floated endlessly. Suddenly, he then saw something flew by as both got back up, he peered his eyes and saw something that surprise him. "A dragon? What it's doing here?" he said in disbelief at this sight. "I don't think it's just one dragon, John." Night pointed her hoof. "Look!" Looking at his direction, he saw a massive horde of dragons flew into the skies."Whoa! That's a massive horde of dragons! But why they're here?" As if he got his answer, the dragons horde now swoop down as John and Night followed them to where they're heading as they saw something horrifying : the dragons now starting to merciless invade Ponyville. Buildings fall down, trees burning along with some buildings, ponies running away from them, and black smoke covered the clear blue skies. "Oh no! Those dragons.......", he stared at disbelief then changed into anger, clenching his weapon along with his gritted teeth. "Night, I'm going in to fight them!" As he about to charge into the battlefield, Night use her teeth to catch his collar, halting him. "John, you can't fight all of them alone! You're just one pony and facing them would be suicide!", Night replied. "But I can't stand here while those dragons starting to terrorize Ponyville, Night!", John said, feeling utter helpless at this scene. "I know I train this for my mission, but remember, I'm also here as a savior too. So I had to help them and stop this suffering!" She then looked at him seeing him with so much determination that he'll go into the battle. With a sighed, she said to him, "All right, but one on condition, I'll go with you." He nodded at this with another smile. "Thanks, Night. But how you're going with me without being seen?" Then, she lowered her horn near to his as a massive surge of power course through him as in a flash that he covered his eyes, he saw her gone. "Night? Where are you?" he look around for any sign of her until a voice echoed through his head. "I'm here, John." He shot his head up and look around quickly as he could. "I'm inside of you." she said telepathy, making him surprise of this. "How...." he asked before he got cut off. "I transfer myself into you, turning myself into a magic energy to assist you in your battle. You could say I'm a spirit guide," she said with telepathy "Anyway, once we enter, you need to get the citizen out of the town. There maybe some of them being trapped on the cages that you seen right?" he looked to where the captive which he nodded. "You need to free them by defeating the guard dragons that holds the key, the fat ones who watching the cage." he nodded again. "Once you free all of them, you need to defeat the one who lead them. If you can defeat it, then the dragons had to retreat cause they can't function without the leader, do you understand?" "Every word of it, Night." he said, twirling his weapon and dashing into the battlefield of Ponyville. As Ponyville now in chaos from the dragons, half of the buildings were broken, raided for all of the ponies that they can find and throw them to a hard steel shaped cage. Some tried to fight them but half of them were beaten by them and taken to the cage as other dragons continue to burn half of the town to cinders. Even the Wonderbolt and Royal Guards are having problem dealing with them as some of the airbone dragons able to outwit them. One of them launch a fireball from its mouth as it hurl through them as it explode upon hitting the ground, knocking out the Royal Guards. As they now prepare to take them hostage and throw them to one of the cages, one of them, a pegasus with a orange coat with a blue mane that spike upwards struggle to get up despite the pain, but no luck. Then as he look at one of the dragon, a grey one with a wicked grin as fear now envelop the pegasus. Just as the dragon about to grab him, something impaled the claw as blood coming off from it. A dagger. The dragon screech in pain as the pegasus confused by this turned to any directions of who threw. Just as the other dragons about to come to its side, a azure flame whack its cheek as another that looks like uppercut, knocking out and releasing one of the guards. As the other dragon looking shocked at this, he saw the the strange azure flame slamming something hard onto its forehead, as with punch that send it through the wall. Then as the injured dragon tried to get the dagger off of its hand, a azure chain was envelop through the ashes of the fire as he turned to the direction he saw the attacker : a orange clad pony with all of its hooves now envelop in a azure flames as the chain now pulled him that he grabbed from its left front hoof, he thrust kick its stomach as it being pulled by a strong force. Then this pony's horn now launching azure fire rapidly, as with so much force, he ended with a haymaker, causing the dagger to pulled out upon it. With the adrenaline wearing out while store his daggers on his belt, the orange clad pony hurried to the injured pegasus who his jaw dropped down at his fighting style but snapped out of his stupor when the orange clad pony asked, "You ok?" "Yeah, thanks." starting to get back up, but the pain cause him to tumbling down. Then the orange clad pony reached for his hoof, beckoning him for any support as he grabbed it and got back up, still feeling the sting of his injured. "Listen, I going to need you and any available guards to round up anypony and take them to the entrance of the forest." the orange pony pointed to a familiar forest. "I'll go and handle the dragons myself." "Are you mad?!" he exclamied. "Your just one pony! You can't fight all of them by yourself!" "I can, because I'm a savior and a one pony army!" The orange clad pony said before hurried to the ashes that he unable to stop him, leaving him alone while the guards woke up. "Flash Sentry", one of them asked. "What happen?" "It's seems like we found a savior." he muttered before he order the guards to get the citizens to the entrance of the Everfree Forest. John start to dash fast, regaining the adrenaline that he felt as he dodge the fallen woods on flames, with some acrobatic skills as continue to hurried fast as he can. "Are we getting closer, Night?" he asked. "Yes, just further ahead and we can rescue the hostages!" Night's voice said as he nodded as he jumped from the top of the buildings, he saw a cyan pegasus, getting chased by more airborne dragons. "Looks like we need to help this one too!" she echoed as with him getting speed and draw his weapon from his belt as well as wait for the right time, the cyan pegasus swoop down along with the chasers to the same building as in slow motion, he launched a azure chain and shot it onto the chaser's tail while it blend into the skin as with jumping out of the building holding onto it, he swing it up high to the peak of him touching the ashes skies. Meanwhile Rainbow Dash was confused at all of this, dragons from the migration year ago suddenly going terrorize Ponyville, and she something latch onto the dragon's tail, but couldn't know it she was seeing things or the ashes getting into her eyes. Snapping out of her stupor, she dodge the fireball attacks quickly while trying to get the chaser off of her tail. But so far the chasers irritated her, never leaving her sight off. She just wished that Twilight and the others are doing fine while they tried to fend off the invaders along with both the Wonderbolt and the Royal Guards too. However the dragons kept repeatedly fire more of the fireballs, as she kept dodging it from it from any building that she can lose them but not luck as she felt her energy is almost out. But then as the airborne about to fire another, they heard of a metal sound as the look from the ashes skies, a azure chain is pulling something down fast as the orange clad pony thrust kick its jaw, as he slammed it to the side of the building while remove the end of the chain and shot it out on the next one, pulling him and pull out a dagger from his belt, he pushed it out the next as he did the same as the first one, he shot another this time onto the wings as with a huge stomp onto the back, he forced it to the ground, making a impact hole on the ground. Rainbow with her jaw dropped, was well, amazed that this pony beat the tail chasers while she couldn't. Just who is that pony and where did he come from? However, she saw him coming towards her as she able to get a visual look of what he look like. That's a strange outfit. If Rarity sees this, she'll not going to like this style. her thoughts ranged of the strangest outfit that nopony ever made this in Equestria. "Hey, are you ok?" his voiced snapped her out of her thoughts as a shake of her head she nodded. "Yeah, thanks for saving me." she said which he nodded. "Listen, gather every pony that you can find here and headed to that forest." he pointed to where her eyes widened in surprise. "I go and handle the dragons." Just as he about to dash into the battlefield, she zoomed in and making him back away a bit. "Excuse me, but who made you in charge? You're just one pony and it'll be crazy to handle all of the army of dragons alone!" "I know, but I had the power to put an end to it." he said, hints of determination. Just as she going about to argue, he just past her as she about to chase him but as the smoke covered her, she unable to stop him. "Just who is that crazy pony?" she muttered, before she zoomed off to find anypony and get them to safety. As he continue to run to the cages to save the hostages, he jump into the roofs of the buildings and kept running until he made a stop as he crotch down and squinted his eyes to see. A steel bared cage with all of the hostages now whimpering and struggling as he saw the guard dragon open the cage for the dragon to throw the captive hostage into it. He jumped down and hid into the barrels, undetected as he get a clear view of it and whispered, "Ok, there's the first cage, Night." He looked as he hid quickly when one of them passed him. "But there's too many to fight them all of them out. Is there a way that we can take out the guard and rescue them without been seen?" "Hmmmm........I had an idea, John." she replied while pounding her thoughts "If you can cast a duplication spell, then it might drive the rest of them out, leaving the guards by itself. A mist form can help you to fight it silently, and once you got the key......" ".....then, we'll get the ponies to safety, and take down the dragon leader." he finished her sentence. "Right, but you haven't done that before right?" He nodded. "I see, well in that case, let me give my knowledge of my spells." "Ok." With that, he close his eyes and feeling his brain now linked to Night's. Then he can feel the surge of the spells coursing through, and once the process is complete, he open his eyes. Then with lowering his horn, the azure flames now ignite. "Well that's the last of them." one of them threw them to the cage "Now we just need to get another to store the princess here." "Yeah, can you believe Gabe just gone nuts?" another asked with the hint of fear. "Yeah, one day he was just normal and the next day, he was........", the other shrugged at what he describe of him "........mad and become king. Like something that possessing him." "I don't think we dragons should do this. We should at least asked the princess to find a way to get him to his sense." the guard said feeling guilty seeing all of the ponies now filled with terror and fear. "But how can we? He got that freaky dark magic thing that turn half of our kind into mindless zombie drones and if we tried to fight him nor tried to find someone to help, we turned into one too!" the other explained. All of them sighed at this, then at the sight, they saw ponies now scattered at all of the direction, running from them. The other sighed at this, "C'mon we need to get the others, otherwise the 'mad king' going to be very cranky." With the others nodded, the dragons now take the skies and chased them, leaving the guard to protect the cage. At the the time that only the fire still cracking and smoke now flow, the guard dragon sighed at the destruction of his kind had done. Oh, how he just wished that someone can get the 'mad king' dethrone and return to his sense. Just as things about to be quiet, something attached to his legs as he look down, he saw a azure chain and a hook as one pull, he was thrown into the alley as the ponies now look at the dragon being drag away. Then the guard hit on the wall as a chain now wrapped around him as he saw the orange clad pony. The one that fought the mindless zombie dragons on his own. He approached with eyes that are daggers at him, "Don't even signal the others." "I- I don't want to......", he stuttered a bit as the orange clad pony now pickpocket around him until he got the cages' key. "Now, tell me why you dragons starting to invade this peaceful place?" John asked. "Is because of our leader gone mad with the dark power that he gotten!" he explained despite squirming around the chain around him. "We don't know who or what cause him, but not only it's not just dark magic from Equestria but it driving one of our kind insane. He even turning our kind into mindless zombie drones for his army and we're forced to serve him as our king. We just want this to stop. Half of us not affecting us are forced to capture the ponies and we don't want to threaten this place too!" John nodded as Night explain to him via his thoughts, "Dark power not originated from Equestria? Strange, but any case, we got the key and we just need to free the ponies". Then as he about to trotted to the cage, he stop a bit and without turning his head to the captured guard dragon, he slice the cage, dissipated and freeing him. "What?! Why would you......?!" the guard dragon stuttered at this event. "If you and your friends wish to atone for this, then you can help me. " interrupted his voice, coldly "I heard it from your conversation with your friends...." With that, he continue to headed to the cage, leaving him all alone. As he reached the cage with ponies continue to cried for help, John came as the ponies rounded to the bars, begging him to free them. With unlock the cage, he open the cage as every hostage ponies crawled out, thanking him. "Listen, all of you, there's a safe location on the entrance of the forest." he pointed to it which everypony gave a widened look "It's crucial that you all need to get there. There abound to be guard ponies waiting here." In a nick of time, Rainbow came swooping down along with five other ponies, following him. Wasting no time, he walked to her and said, "Cyan pony, you and your friends get the rest of them to the entrance of the forest. I'll handle the leader and put an end to them." Just as he about to dash off, an annoyed shout was heard, "HEY!" He saw her get into his face along with a annoyed look, "First off, the name's Rainbow Dash! And second, you being crazy to fend off those dragons by yourself! You going to need some help!" "I already do. And she with me." he bluntly said as he passed her and dash into the ashes of the battle. "But- you- they're- Arggh!" she groaned loudly, threw her hooves in a tantrum manner. Then she turned to her friends, who was confused at this. "Um, Rainbow, just who the hay is that pony?" Applejack asked. "Don't know, just some crazy pony with crazy fighting moves." she muttered, not want to question more of him. With the others now leading the citizens out of the city, the girls now heading to the entrance of the Everfree Forest. But not one pony, Twilight, look at the direction of the strange pony went. Something about that strange pony felt............odd yet warm......she muttered before she hurried to her friends. John continue to dash while jumping onto buildings, dodging burning items, and so fourth along with encounter more dragons, as with fast speed, he knocked them out with one slash, then continue to run. The smoke continue to blind his destination, but yet he kept going, and going until his ear perks up with the roaring noise from the skies, he then jump high, out of the smoke and seeing two airbornes going to swoop him, he launch his chain as it wrapped around his mouth, closing it in process as the chain pulled him while he launch another one to the other's mouth as surprising, he pulled both of them and twirling them like carrying a metal heavy ball with chain attached to it, and slam both of them to the ground. With him touching to the ground and pulled the chain back to his daggers, he then continue to headed to his destination. We're almost there, John! Night inform him which he smile at this. As he jump into the burning smoke, he then got into his battle pose as he scan for anything unusual around the area. But so far no dragons coming out nor any cage. Still, he kept his guard as he slowly walk around, scanning for anything unusual. "It's quiet." Night muttered. "Too quiet......" "Still, my guess is that they leave a trap somewhere......", he replied, stopping at the middle. "So you came..........", another voice was heard this time of a deep and demonic like voice, surprising them "The one pony that stand in my way!" As the source of the voice was from the skies, he saw something falling down as he jump out of the way as the smoke clear, he saw something that clearly fit the description of the guard dragon. A red teen dragon with armors from head to shoulder of a king, stood demonic with claws that now with paired of sharp blades and the worst part is the eyes now filled so much evil, his eyes now have black and orange slits of a demon. The dragon roared, spread his wings that now with snake like heads on the ends, hissing at him along with the cages of the rest of the ponies and surprising a baby dragon too which he starting to be mad at the king throwing away their own kind. "Guess that means your the leader, huh?" John asked, still holding his courage, "The one that attacking Ponyville?" "Yes, and your the little pony that going around attack my people and freeing my prisoners......", the dragon growled, "But it's unfortunate that your path ends here........." "No way it ends, not when my heart blaze brightly........"John got into his battle stance, ready for battle as a wave of azure flames pulsing around him. "Your a fool if you think you can stand against me.......but if you want to make it quick......." Suddenly, a wave of darkness pulsing through the field as the dragon now got into his battle stance too "Then I happy to make this place your grave!" Then at silence as both warriors now face their foes, then both of them charging at them, swung their weapons as sparks flying around as each of them trade blow by blow but so far both of them able to stand firm. John then charging at him as the dragon shot out fire from his mouth as he jump out of the way as the impact of the fireball demolished of the building, he then flipped his daggers to regular grip as he swing his daggers at him only to the dragon to block it with its claw blades then proceed to attack him as the dragon attempt to slash him but he push himself out of the way as claw marks scraped his clothes and blood poured through him. John gritted his teeth, clutching his wounds and look at how serious it is. Unfortunately, he knew the answer as another voice shouted through his head. "John, are you ok?!" "Y-yeah, I'll be fine.....", he muttered, not wanting Night to worried him while on the battlefield. He then focus on his magic as the azure flames now wrapping around his wounds as John then remain to his battle stance as the dragon now charge at him as attempt to thrust his claws only for his to be blocked his right dagger, passing through his face as a fierce roared from the orange clad pony, he slam his other one onto his face as the tip of the blade scraped out of the scales, leaking out blood. Normally that dragon scales protects dragons from any hard objects, but for John's daggers, that's another story. "You little......!" the dragon growled feeling the pain from his cheek, then as a roared, the dragon's dark aura wrapped around him until his claws now broke into pieces and transformed into demonic curve swords as he charged at him as both kept continue to trade blows by blows endlessly. That dragon king is tough from the rest...... his mind said as he back away from it only for the dragon slam him hard to the ground boring a hole in the process. "John!!!" Night' screamed was heard through his head, despite him being injured in the process. "Are you ok?! John! John! JOHN!" "I'm...... I'm..........", he tried to stand up, but his legs start to give in, as he tried to ignore the pain, "I'm all right....sort of...." "Stop being an reckless idiot! If you keep this up, your going to die!" "Even so..........", he got back up into his hind legs, still grasping his daggers laid on the floor, then face the demonic dragon king, "I'm not to let everypony suffer!" He then got back into his battle stance as he charged at the dragon, trade blows by blows again and again, as he shot his right chain from his dagger as the dragon move it away from his head as the dagger latch onto a cart as John jump pulled it as the cart now headed straight towards the dragon as he attempt to slash it away, breaking into pieces. Then as he turned he saw him, now slash his face and parts of the armor of him, mostly the body as the armor left was cracked and shattered into pieces. "Now you're starting to make me mad!" the dragon screeched as he fire three fireballs as John slice them, reflecting to the other side of the directions, explode at contact on the ground. Then the dragon charged at him as he attempt to slam his swords, only for it to be blocked by his daggers as John struggle to stand his ground. However, his legs start to be at the level to knee as he struggle to ignore the pain but it then blare out his mind about to give in. "Huff......huff.......keh.......can't let my body give in......", he muttered, blocking another attack as the dragon kick to his stomach as he rolled to the ground knocking out unconscious. Then the dragon slowly walk over to his body laid. "Heh, looks like it's time to end this." the dragon sneered as he now position the blade's tip at his head as he pulled his blade his as everything in slow motion, the blade thrust through the air as it about to hit his head, a black shield block it, breaking the tip. "What?!" then as a magic bounce him away from him as a mist like mare appeared in front of John. The dragon startled in disbelief at this said, "What.....is this?!" "You will not hurt my son!" Night screamed as she fire her magic as pushed him to the building, collapse on the process. Then she turned as she use her magic as green aura leaves rejuvenating him as a groan was heard, John got back up. "Are you ok?" she asked him which he nodded. "Yeah, thanks Night." he gave her a small smile which she nodded. "John," her expression turned to serious " I think that the only way we can stop this is for you to unlock some of your skills that are inside of you. I'll use my magic along with the bracelet's power to unlock it. Once you use it, use Data Drain and remove the darkness from it." John nodded as she then dispersed into thin air as her aura now covered him as his azure aura now envelop along with him as his eyes now flashed, as once the waves of aura pulsing around him, his eyes now return to normal yet another azure flames was showed on the irises. Then as the collapse pile starting to rumble, the dragon roared out of it, "I had enough of your meddling you little mule! Your time ends now!!!!!" "Bring it, you lizard freak!!!!!" John insulted as both now resume clashing their blades again as the dragon swung its sword , he crotch down as his blades glow yellow. "Here's goes!!!! TRI SLASH!!!" then he switch his right grip, then upper diagonal slash on the right and the next on the left as he rapidly slash, bash, stab in unimaginable ways as the dragon stumble down. However he then shot out more fireballs, as John jump out of the way then his blade now glows green. "WIND BREAK!!!!!" with calling the wind, he thrust forward from the air as he shot out two wind energies from his blades at him, backing him from it. "And for the finale!" his blades now change colors to of white as his body begin to outlined with it. Then he shouted to his next attack, "SONIC CLASH!!!!" With that, he charged at supersonic speed as he strike the dragon king vertical as he did again on diagonal and all over again, make the mad dragon king unable to block his next attack. Then as a 'crack' was heard, the dragon's sword broke into pieces along with the armors too as he sent flying onto the ground. The prisoners along with the baby dragon just stayed silence at this battle. For this is too brutal, but yet a mysterious savior came here and start to fight against the invaders without asking. As the dragon tried to get up as he was on his last leg, John then spoke, "Your reign ends here." Then he threw his right front leg as his bracelet start to glow as a massive surge of power starting to channel to it. He then jump and surprising floated once he hold it as the familiar wing data and the purple star showed onto the front as circlar rings wrapped around it as data starting to act up as John target the fallen tyrant king , now shouted, "DATA DRAIN!!!!!!!!" With a shot of data now fired, the spirals of data hit the dragon causing him to screamed as the dark aura starting to dispersed away as his body glow lightly same as the colors of the data. Once the data now shot back into his front right leg, he saw the transformation as the once king dragon now turned into a crimson baby dragon, faint and fall from the ground. John then look at the dark aura now converted into dark data as he use the bracelet's power as the dark data deleted from existence. He then got to his normal four legs stand as he then pickpocket it and found the key and headed to free the last of the prisoners which they have jaw dropped, agape at the battle and the aftermath. Before he unlock it he saw the same guard dragon from before along with the others who then pick up the fallen king as silence took over but yet he nodded at him which he return as the dragons now finally retreated along with others who then flying back to the mountains. John then focus back onto unlock the cage as he turned the key and open the cage, the ponies were cheered from being save as some pegasi flew to the skies as more of them come, they somewhat did to the ashes of the clouds as he can feel a drop of rain from his muzzle. He then felt more as he hold a small smile as the rain now extinguish the fires and the ashes. He did it. John and Night did it. They save Ponyville from the invaders. As he then closed his eyes, he then felt the rain's tears, felt that it was meant to say thanks. He doesn't understand it but yet Night felt it too consider she's inside of him as once he open his eyes, he saw it stop as a sunshine starting to break the dark clouds. He then proceed to go back to his home, so he can rest up for tomorrow night until, "Wait." "Huh?" he turned and saw three fillies along with the baby dragon coming towards him; the one from the last cage he set them free. One of them had a yellow butter like coat with a red mane and a pink bow tie, the other one, a pegasi had orange coat and a purple messy mane and the last one had a snow white coat with a curly mane with two colors of light pink and light purple. The baby dragon had a purple scales and emerald curve spike along with the belly too. "Thank you for saving us and defeat the dragons." the butter filly said, having a southern accent in his guess. "Yeah, you really intense but awesome!" the orange one piped out, never the grin leaving her out. "And your outfit is very nice!" the snow white squeaked. He then look back and just only said comes out of his mind, "Thanks." He continue to proceed going home but the baby dragon stop him, "Wait! At least tell us your name?" He paused as he about to say his only name, but knowing that his mission comes first, along with the outfit reminded of the bipedal creature, Kite, he now can muster this, "The Successor of the Dot Hackers. A savior. My name is...........Kite Blade." "Kite Blade?" "Successor of Dot Hackers." "Savior?" All three of them asked in confusion as just as they about to question him, they heard their sisters coming towards them as knew he that he need to get away from them, he then use his spell as azure flames starting to wrapped around him as Twilight and her friends saw this as the strange pony now disappeared into bluish ashes. "He's gone." Spike muttered which the others look at him. "Kite Blade is gone...." "Kite Blade? You mean that strange pony?" Rarity asked him which he nodded as he and the Cutie Mark Crusaders explain of what happen, from the strange pony came, to him fighting off Gabe, to see a black like mist protected him, and the final attack that really surprise them : a starburst symbol identical to Twilight's cutie mark. The girls were speechless. Never before that this pony had this strange and massive powers able to fight off Gabe and his massive army of dragons. However, just as they going to ask more, the rest of the Royal Guards came along with the citizens as two princess came to explain of what happen. In the top of the waterfall, John look to the sight of Ponyville now starting to rebuild itself. He sighed as he gaze at the Canterlot Castle. This is it. Just for tomorrow night, his mission can begin. > Stolen > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "So this 'Kite Blade' came out of nowhere and fighting back the dragons all by himself?" Princess Celestia asked the Mane 6, which they explaining to her and Princess Luna on Canterlot castle at the throne along with Flash Sentry and Shining Armor. "Yeah, and believe me when I see him, he's very.........." Spike trying to find a right word for him. "Cold?" Pinkie Pie piped up. "Serious?" Fluttershy whispered. "Reckless?" Applejack said. "Tacky?" Rarity said, earning odd looks from her. "Well, do you see that design of him along with his mane? It's looks out of place!" "I meant to say, well foreboding a bit." Spike said "And the crazy thing is, he stand on his hind legs while holding those two daggers on his front hooves!" "What? Only I can do that!" Pinkie Pie piped up earning glares from them. "And another thing that he did, he put his right hoof, holding from his left as some kind of.......... thing just swirl up up to his right, making a cannon and having the same cutie mark as Twilight!" Spike continue explaining earning shocking glances from them. "Wait, Twilight's cutie mark is on that attack that KiteBlade did?!" Shining Armor asked, incredulous as Spike nodded. "Yeah, he just shouted 'Data Drain' or something like that as the cannon fired, wires came out of it and start draining Gabe's power and the crazy thing is, he now turned into a baby dragon!" Spike said, another earning shocking glances. "But how?!" Twilight asked incredulous "Nopony had that kind of power to do that, it's impossible to do it!" "I know, but somehow he able to do it. And by freeing me, the crusaders, and other ponies, he just only said that he's a 'savior' and 'Successor of the Dot Hackers' and disappeared in a ashes of blue flames." Spike finished explaining leaving the others stunned at this. It had been on night time, after the dragon's invasion as Ponyville begin to rebuild themselves. However with some of the Mane 6's home been under construction, they decide to sleep in Canterlot until by tomorrow at the castle, luckly for them, there about six guest rooms for each of them. It was something that hard to process for everypony, even for Twilight. First the strange anomalies, then a mysterious book was found and stolen by a thief who connected to the strange anomalies, dragons gone amok and their leader forced them by turning them into mindless drones, and the mysterious 'savior' Kite Blade. Just what is all meaning? Who is this Kite Blade? Where did he came from? And those attacks that he performed, just where did he learn to use it? More importantly, why did her cutie mark appear on his last attack? And yet..........why do some reason..........wanting to help him? She and him just never met, but her heart felt like she want to help him and.......... be there for him as if..............something was suffering. Could he be.......? "Spike," Luna asked him, snapping Twilight out of her deep thoughts "You said that in the battle that this 'Kite Blade' fought against Gabe, something protect him, even he's unconscious? What did protect him?" Spike closed his eyes and tried to process of the memory of what he saw........ Spike then saw Kite Blade being rolled on the grounded after many attacks by Gabe, feeling horrifying along with the Crusaders and the hostage of the ponies. Just as he and the Crusaders closed their eyes for their rescuer's demise, a 'crack' was heard as Spike open his eyes and saw a misty like pony protecting him. Either of that the smoke got to his eyes or he might be hallucinating, it scream that somewhat familiar like happen a year ago making the drake at agape. "You will not hurt my son!" it screamed as fire a dark like magic at Gabe, pushing to the wall. Then it turn to Kite Blade and use a green magic to rejuvenating him. Then it talks to him as he understand, she dispersed into a thin air as a dark blue like aura covered him as a azure aura envelop him until his eyes flashed as the wave of auras pulsing around him, his eyes are normal with now showing with azure flames on his irises, shocking the drake along with the fillies and the hostage too. "Well, to be honest if the smoke playing tricks on me or I might been hallucinating, there was a mist pony that save him, calling him, well......I think it was a girl, 'her son'." Spike responded, which Luna furrowed her eyes then widened her eyes in shocked but she retain it. "All right, Spike, thank you." Luna thankful for him as she glances the Mane 6 and the two Royal Guards "I need to talk with my sister alone. Twilight, you and your friends get some rest while Flash and Shining Armor, resume your duties." Everypony at first hesitated but nodded as they all exit out of the throne room, leaving the two sister alone. Luna walk over to a stain glass of the six elements of harmony purging out of her as Nightmare Moon, feeling sadden by looking at it even she heard her sister's hoofstep behind her. "Something troubling you, Luna. You can't hide those feelings from me." Celestia grew concerned for her "You know something that you didn't tell Twilight and the others." Luna sighed and turned to face her, "I guess there's no hiding from you, tia. That Kite Blade pony is something I concerned about." "What do you mean?" Celestia asked, confused. Why would her sister become worried for this pony? They never met him yet and from Spike's story, he said that he disappeared into ashes of azure flames after saving Ponyville. "When Spike told a mist pony saved him along with rejuvenating him and did something to make him fight back, that mist pony is only one thing that I know of what he spoke of." Luna replied dryly "The same essence that grew from my jealously of being your shadow and force you to banish me." Celestia widened her eye, understanding of what Luna meant, "You don't think that.......?!" "I wish I didn't know either, but still after Twilight and her friends free me and saving Rarity from it, it kept coming back. It's something that can't be destroyed or be gone for good." Luna replied "So as long as light shines, darkness will rise too." "If that's the case, you think that it might be possible that Kite Blade might be under it's influence?" Celestia asked, having a concern tone to it as Luna shook her head. "No, sister. If that happen, then by under its control, then he won't able to save Ponyville. But what's worried me the most is that it or 'she' had a 'son'." Luna replied, having a dark tone of it. "We can't think about it , but until then, we need to find him by tomorrow." Celestia said as Luna nodded, both sister looking at the window as the nighttime now cover the skies and the stars to twinkle upon it. Twilight set her books down onto the desk on her guest bedroom while Spike prepare his bed too. She then look at the sky from her window as she thought of the recent event and Kite Blade. After the dragon invasion, most of the ponies begin to talk about him of how he able to fend off the invaders by himself, yet Spike told of him being saved by a mist pony........wait, mist pony? But the only one who can turned into a mist is......... no that can be, she and her friend defeated it before so why would it come back? But before she can think more, she saw the same human girl behind her, smiling at her, surprising her and begin to speak. "Twilight Sparkle of the Equestria............his memories slowly begin to awaken...............you must find him..........." she said as Twilight turned and look behind her, she wasn't there, only Spike was setting his bed as he look at her worried. "Twilight? Are you ok?" he asked "You just felt like you seen a ghost." "Huh?" she snapped out of her stupor "Oh, well I'm fine, Spike. I'm fine." "Okay then" he yawned as he place his blanket onto his bed "Goodnight, Twilight." "Goodnight, Spike." Twilight just smiled as the drake now fell into a deep sleep. She then look into the window's glass, want to ask the mysterious girl more question, but she disappeared without a trace, feeling confused. She sighed as she walk to her bed and pulled her blanket and turn off the lamp, leaving everything dark. At the front gate of Canterlot castle, two of the Royal Guards patrol around while the others were at the gatehouses of the castle as they shift their head around for anything unusual coming, but so far nothing. Yeah, just as usual, but because of the recent event happening, they knew that Princess Celestia need to tighten the security around Canterlot in hope of preventing another invasion. In the high grounds, some of them walk around from left to right, shifting around for anything suspicious as only the crickets was heard and nothing else, they continue to their route. In a shadow of the bushes, a shadow mist quicken itself as it hid behind a tree nearby as it look at the top grounds where one of the Royal Guard was monitor, as it use a familiar azure blue aura, levitate a big rock as it then peek to see if others going to come by but luckly only two passed around him and waited for the two to be far from him as a signal hit him, it threw the rock which hit the bystander Royal Guard as he tumble down to the water, causing the Royal Guards to called for the others, "We need medic!" "One of our stallion is injured!" As the two guarding the front gate rushed to help their comrade, who was brought out of the water by other pegasus Royal Guards while checking for injurers, the shadow mist quicken and headed inside of the entrance. Inside, two Royal Guard unicorns use their horns to shine around while patrolling around as the shadow quicken hidden on the wall, while the two guards passed by as it leap to the curtains as leap to the next wall, hidden as two others coming in, passing him by as the shadow's 'blue eyes' and turned them to green, showing him of 3 Royal Guards from high and low in the hall as its eyes turned back to normal, it then levitate a what to appear to be a contraption and threw it to the right when the others aren't looking as it make a random noise, earning attention to the others as they headed to the source on the right. Then the shadow quicken and headed to the vault chamber at the corridor as it leap and cling up on the wall as it changed it eyes again to see if any Royal Guards patrolling on the front and so forth, only two as with quicken leap from wall to wall, it then slide down slowly as leap to another until it right behind them, then it use its 'hooves' and bash the two Royal Guards' head causing them to knock out as it then quicken to the vault only to hid into the pillar, and view the last Royal Guard guarding the vault and a familiar one. A orange pegasus, clad in golden armor with a thunderbolt shield on the middle of his chest pieces, that once saved by KiteBlade. It then slid into the shadow and moved quicken, blending with the other shadows as finally behind him, it rose from the ground as the orange pegasus felt a contact, he shot head up from behind and saw something that shocked him. "You?! Wha-?!" "Forgive me." a familiar voice said as it swung his hoof on his stomach, knocking him out as it turn to the vault and raise a familiar bracelet glows on the right and place onto the hole. "Magic Hacking." it commanded as the bracelet launched the data as the flow of magic from the vault begin to make contact onto the bracelet as once they dispersed, it open the vault to reveal a chest as it open it, revealing the 6 jewelries, 5 for a choker and one a crown. It then place all of them into a saddle bag and place it back into the vault and close it and quickly rush out of here. However, the orange pegasus regain conscious and saw of what the shadow did as it pulled a signal gem and press it, flashed onto the window as his cutie mark symbol was seen in the sky. "That's Flash Sentry's signal!" Shining Armor exclaimed "Something must happen to him!" With that, Shining Armor press the crystal alarm as alarm blared out waking everypony in Canterlot. Twilight woke up from her deep sleep groggily her eyes along with Spike too, feeling tired. "What....is....going on?" Spike said rubbing his eyes. "I don't know, Spike." She open the window and saw the signal that Flash sent as more of the Royal Guards now heading back inside of the castle. Just then, Applejack and the others came bursting out too. "Twil' your brother need you!" Applejack said, as with both of them have a shocking expression, they all headed to the vault chamber at the corridor when they saw Princess Celestia and Princess Luna on the side with the chest that kept the elements of harmony while Shining Armor help Flash get up with only 4 Royal Guards gathering here, investigating of the vault "Ok, here you go......" Shining Armor helping him getting him back to his feet which he wobble at first then fell down. "Princess Celestia! Princess Luna!" Twilight trotted to their side, worried expression was filled to her face "What's going on?! What happen to Flash?!" "Twilight, I'm afraid that the elements of harmony is stolen" Celestia said darkly "and Flash was attacked by the thief that stolen them." "WHAT?!" Twilight and her friends exclaimed at this. Somepony able to dodge the tight security on the castle and stole the elements of harmony?! "Could it be Discord that did it?!" Rainbow asked "Beside, he already did that when he was free the last time a year ago!" "Rainbow, we can't just assumed that Discord did it again. Beside, if he did, he'll never able to. The vault is with a strongest magic that not even Discord can use his magic to take them away." Twilight explained which Rainbow pouted. "Twilight is right. The vault is impossible to be unlock except by me or my sister. We use it after Twilight's coronation to make sure that no evil able to use their dark magic to unlock it." Luna added. "Then, if that vault is powerful that no bad guys able to take the Elements, how did the thief able to unlock it?" Pinkie Pie questioned. "That we don't know of how did the thief able to unlock it, nor of who the thief is." Celestia said until they heard a groan from Flash. "It's him........." he muttered receiving attention to them as Shining Armor help him up. "What? You mean the thief?" Shining Armor asked as Flash nodded slowly as the others gather to their side. "Yes.......I don't why........but, he able to steal all of them............with something............a bracelet........" he moaned. "A bracelet? You mean a bracelet with magical properties?" Twilight asked as he shook his head. "No........but..........something else..........that's not from Equestria.........." "Who are you taking about?" Fluttershy asked as he said that'll bring silence upon the thief's name, "Kite Blade. Kite Blade........stole the elements of harmony." Everypony was shocked at this. The 'savior' that he called himself, Kite Blade, stole the elements of harmony from Canterlot castle?! The same pony that saved Ponyville from the dragon's invasion?! "It can't be him." Spike was loss at words "He.......he saved........" "I know" Flash interrupt his sentence "I don't want to believe it too...........but he able to traveled.........to the shadow.....like a mist...... and punch my stomach with him saying that he sorry to do it......." Just as they going to asked more, a explosion was set off as the others look at the window and saw the Royal Guards preparing their spears onto the shadow thief but the thief use a familiar daggers and launch a azure flames, blowing the guards out of the way on the gatehouses. "That's him!" Rainbow exclaimed as she dart it out of the corridor along with Applejack and Rarity followed too then next Twilight, Spike, and the Princesses follow them while Shining Armor asked them to look after Flash while he dash out to assist them. In the top of the defensive wall of the castle where all of the guards are knock out, Kite Blade rush out as he jump onto the roof and leap to the next, until landing onto the garden where he shift his head from left to right as he saw more of the Royal Guards charging at him. He take a stance as his blade glows white then shouted his attack, "SONIC CLASH!!!!" With the sonic speed, he burst out of the guards which they flung out upon hit by that attack as he now climb the walls of the castle as with a great leap, he hop onto roof as he saw pegasus Royal Guard now swooping down on him, but he dodge it as he charge his blade with a green glow and launch his attack, "WIND BREAK!!!!" Using the wind, he made the pegasus flung out onto the ground as he leap onto the next roof until landed onto a bridge as he about to rush out until, a rush of rainbow blur shot forward to KiteBlade but he manage to stand up straight as he look at the attacker. "You not going anywhere, thief!" Rainbow took a defensive stance, preparing to buck him. "I got no time for you, Cyan pegasus!" Kite Blade shouted, though that insulted her. "It's Rainbow Dash, thief! Now give us back the elements of harmony!" she charging at him to the point of him dodging her and start to jump onto the walls and land on the roof. "Hey! Get back here!" Rainbow shouted as she soar to the air, she spotted him, leaping to another roof as she swoop down charging at him but Kite Blade use his blades as his blade glows green again and shot a powerful gale that send her spinning while she screamed been blown away as Kite Blade continue to jump onto the roof until he landed onto the ground. Then he saw a orange earth pony mare now charging at him as jump out of the way, she use her hind legs to buck him however he use his blade to block though he pushed back by the force she did. "Ah right, pal you better give us back the elements or you going not like when I going to do!" Applejack threaten him. "Sorry, but I need them to fulfilled my mission." he spoke dryly as his blade now glows yellow as Applejack take a defensive stance as Kite Blade now charging at her shouting his attack, "TRY SLASH!!!!" With a fast swing on his blades, he able to knock Applejack onto the wall, then rush out of here as he spotted more ponies chasing him as the cyan pegasus now chasing him as he able to dodge their magic along with her speeding up and catching him as he stop at the edge of the ground with the only escape is plunge through a 60 height drop as he turned to find another option but blocked as the Princesses and the Mane 6 along with Spike corner him. "You got no where to run, thief." Pinkie Pie shouted, pulled a big hammer from.........well who knows where. "Now, handle over the elements, Kite Blade. We don't want to cause trouble." Twilight strictly ordered him, readied her horn. Kite Blade looks down at the high cliff then with a determination, he face them, "I'm sorry but I need them to help somepony I care. The elements are the only thing that can save her." "Her?" Princess Luna begin to suspected of his intentions "Who is the mare you wish to help by stealing the elements?" "That's something you should figure it out yourself. I made a promise to her and I'm going to stand by that promise." With that, he jump away from them as the ponies tried to grab him, he begin falling down from the castle. "Let's go, Fluttershy!" Rainbow said as she grabbed Fluttershy with a 'eep' from her as with Twilight, Princess Luna, and Princess Celestia, they now dived down to get him. As Kite Blade now free falling to the waterfall's lake, he notice the Princess and two pegasus are diving towards him as the cyan pegasus diving close while charging as he dodge away while the light yellow pegasus also tried to catch him, but he dodge it again as the princess fire their magic at him but he able to keep dodging them along with the pegasus charging at him. Then he activate his bracelet as he lock onto the lake as familiar datas gather around him as he shouted, "Gate Hacking!!!!" With a fire from his bracelet, the data stream burst out and hit the lake, creating a portal as he dive faster, dodging from his pursuiters as with time goes slowly, Rainbow and Fluttershy almost reach for him until he enter the portal as it close from them, causing them to dive onto the water as the Princesses stop and floated and landed on the ground. " *Gasp* What the hay?!" Rainbow got her head out of the water along with Fluttershy "How did he do that?!" Twilight brought her hoof and help the dripping pegasus out of the water, "I don't know either. But my guess is that his 'bracelet' had to do something with it." She then brought towels for them as both of them grabbed them and start drying themselves. Once they brought them back up to the castle, the Mane 6, Spike, and the Princesses along with Captian Shining Armor discussing at the throne room. "I can't believe that Kite Blade stole the elements. Those are the lines of defending Equestira." Twilight muttered sadly as Shining Armor place his hoof on his sister's shoulder. "More than that, his attacks are too strong for the guards to fight back." Applejack rubbed her bruise shoulder "I don't know how in the hay does that unicorn able to conjured so much magic, but he really put my bucking skills to shame." "He did said that he stole in order to save somepony. If he told us, then we'll find a way to help." Fluttershy said "He must be desperate by now." "But why go all of the trouble to steal the elements to save somepony?" Shining Armor asked with the girls and the princesses take glances at him "Does the elements have the power to do that?" "The elements are mysterious, Shining Armor. Even we don't know of their true's nature of the power only to those wield by the six wielders." Princess Celestia replied. "But if that's true, then he won't able to use all of them. Only we able to do that." Rainbow asked. Twilight thought as she glance at them, "Maybe that bracelet might had to do with something that might be the reason that he able to get through the vault. Flash said that the bracelet isn't originating from any form of Equestria magic." "That could be the case. If his bracelet isn't originating from any form of Equestria magic, then it stand to reason that he might use a different power. Power that we ponies haven't seen." Luna stated. Just then, a Royal Guard came in and reported to Shining Armor, "Captian, so far, Flash is going to be all right and return to his duty by tomorrow. There aren't any injuries from our soliders that face him." "Okay, thank you." Shining Armor said both salute as the soliders exit out. Shining Armor take glances from them, "Well, at least none of the guards are injured. Seems like that Kite Blade doesn't want to hurt anypony." "Yeah, but still" Luna closed her eyes to think then open it to them "How we going to find him? He created a portal through the help of his bracelet." Everypony start to think as Twilight tried to find anyway to find him. Suddenly, a ghost hand touch her shoulder as she take a glance from the left, she saw the mysterious girl. She gave her a small smile to her who stood with a confused expression. "To find him, you must feel him................" she said "Your heart can guide you to his.................." Just as she going to question her, she once again vanished like a phantom faded away in a haunted house as she raised her hoof to stop her. However, it was notice that everypony take glance at her. Shining Armor then snapped out of her stupor by placing his hoof onto her right shoulder, "Twily, are you ok? You look like you seen a ghost." "I'm......fine." she muttered as she closed her eyes, remembering what the mysterious girl said. "To find him, you must feel him.............." She then take deep breath as let her mind calm and her heart start to act strange as a portion of her magic start to show her from her mind, a cave where she saw Kite Blade helping with a mare in the same size of Princess Celestia or Princess Luna, doing something a ritual with the elements and using his bracelet to use their magic to do something. However she then also shocked to get the glimpse of who the mare that he was desperate to save : a mare with a black coat and a purple armor with a wave of dark purple mane star like aura. Then the magic show her of a waterfall and then to the path that lead her to revealed of a familiar forest. She open her eyes and got their attention, "I know where Kite Blade is, everypony." Everypony was silence as Twilight walk to the window and point to a location to where everypony can see, "My guess is that Kite Blade retreated to the Everfree Forest when he use his bracelet. He supposed to be in a cave behind the waterfall." "Twilight, darling, not to be negative, but how can you be sure?" Rarity asked her, worried for her friend's well being. "Well, I don't either, but some unknown reason, my magic show me where he is." Twilight said, earning odd looks from them. "I don't where is the waterfall but I need a map of the Everfree Forest." "I got it right here!" Pinkie Pie popped up with a book of the Everfree Forest. "Where-" Applejack asked Rainbow. "Shhh....." Rainbow quiet her with deadpanned. "Rule number 1, never question Pinkie Pie." Twilight open the book and it shown a map of the Everfree Forest, "Okay, so my guess is that the waterfall that my magic shown me is should be close to........." she widened her eyes at a familiar location. "yours and Luna's old castle, Princess Celestia." "Our old castle?" Luna shocked at this. "I believe so. Star - Swirl the Bearded once traveled there with us to train our magic together. " Celestia replied. "In that case, we should go there and get it back before something bad happen." Luna said with Celestia nodded. "Twilight, you, Luna, and your friends must going to the Everfree Forest to retrieve back the Elements. We need to stop Kite Blade before he might abuse their powers. " Celestia explained to her which she nodded as she take a glance to her friends as they nodded too. "At least let me go with you too!" Spike said. "Spike, I can't take you. You know that the Everfree Forest is dangerous." Twilight explained which he sighed. "I go too." Shining Armor said. "Shining Armor...." "Listen, Twily, I want to make sure your safe too. Beside, I haven't gone a adventure with you for a while, so it'll be a chance to do that." Shining Armor explained with a smile as she nodded. "Then it's settle, we need to pack some supplies and rations to prepare to get our elements back. We'll be leaving by 10:00 pm at the front of the castle." Luna ordered to the which all of them nodded as they exit out of the throne room leaving them alone. "Sister," Luna asked "Why aren't you coming with us? Surely that your magic could help us on getting back on the elements." "I know, but for some reason, I had a feeling that how did Twilight felt of his presence does concerned me. It remind me of once I met a friend from another world. She and I share a connection to each other, even that we never met." Celestia explained "Even it has been a thousand years of my rule, I can hear her, telling me that you and Twilight must to help Kite Blade or so that he claim to be." "Who is the pony your talking about?" Luna wonder. "Not a pony, but a girl. She's similar to me or put to this way, she's the goddess of a world." Inside of the cave, Kite Blade set down all of the Elements in a big circle and trace a line with symbols on the sides, making ritual circle with Night on the middle. He then held his right arm as his bracelet glows with pure rainbow energies flowing through it. "Okay, Night! You need to fight back the dark self, while I get ready to do this!" he shouted as he heard grunted and pain as Night starting to whipped her head and body around as her face shown a half of her normal on the right but on the left shown a familiar snake like irises and vile red eye. "John, I can't hold it for longer- Arghhhhh!!!!" she screamed as darkness aura now envelop half of her. John grunted as he lock onto the crown and shouted, "Magic Hacking!" With a blast, data steams start to connect to the elements as the elements start to glow brightly as rainbow energies poured from the elements and surrounded her as it shot at her chest, causing her to scream so loudly as he hold his hooves to the ground to continue the process. Night.........please hang tight..........his mind screamed, hoping that he'll keep his promise. > Reason > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- As John holding his ground while his bracelet continue to use the stolen Elements of Harmony on a ritual circle that encasing the soon corrupted Night, who was holding her heart from her darkness, the energies of the magic begin to repel the darkness that snaked through her. He can hear her crying in pain, knowing that the darkness soon going to turn her into her former self, the monster that she once was, he grunted himself as he pushed more of his bracelet power to excel the energies. Night, please, stay with me.........his thought begged to the pained mare. He knew that he's now the criminal of Canterlot, even saving Ponyville from the Dragons. But he knew that he's doing for a cause. His cause of giving Night a second chance. But even in a bright light that the ritual glows glared at him, he still sense her, and the darkness that starting to fight back the Elements while his data power starting to reformed her. From the lines of data streaks around her, it then latch on to it and start to materialize her misty form from her front legs into solid, organic parts. As he continue to push forward to save her, his memories flash back of this disaster event. No, I don't want to know it. It's too much to remember my friend in deep pain! his thought screamed as his memories, now flash to this point of this event. Flashback After disappeared into a bluish azure flames, the flames reappeared back at the cave as John materialize from the swirl of the flames. Then he sighed as he store his weapon back to his back, his suit burned it away, only back to his normal self. Then he use his horn as bluish azure magics starting to release out the dark misty forms surround himself as it detach out of him and begin changing into the dear friend with her gentle green eyes. "Looks like Ponyville is safe now, John." she said, which he nodded at her. "Yeah, but still, I can't believe that there's a dark force that's not magic from this place can cause them to turn them into savages." John wonder about it. It doesn't make sense, what kind of dark and evil energies that's not originated from Equestria could do this? As he pound at his thoughts, he begin remembering of the time that he woke up in the forest with the book. Maybe, the book might give a clue to what's happening on this peaceful place. But he remember that there's only one page written or rather already written. How did it happen? Did somepony wrote on it? No, can't be. The book is hard to open it but only himself. But why only himself? "John, " Night snapped out of his trance thoughts "it's better if we make dinner before it's get late." She gestured her head up to the sky now begin to darken the skies. He nodded as they started to prepare for food for dinner. At the cave, John threw some firewood as the fire cracking noise warm the two ponies at the cave. He then roasted the grass but with hays that he scavenge from the Sweet Apple Acres that which he told her where he gotten from as Night scold him for stealing it but not to purse it. After the hay became roasted, he then wrapped it around the grass that he poked them on the stick and put it on both big leaves trays with two leaves cups that holds both waters that he gotten from the lake. He pass the meal to her on and to himself as they begin munching on their meals, quietly. Night allow her taste buds to savor the flavors of his creation, "That was pretty good, John. I didn't know that hays can be used in this fashion for food." She took another as John agreed with her, "Yeah, me either." After a couple of minutes (perhaps hours), they finish their meals as John use the stolen books, now being beaten, withered, and wet as pillows for him and Night to sleep in together. Once Night rested her head on the book pillow, he grabbed the now torn, dirty, and smelly stolen clothes and laid on top of them with only their heads visible together. "John....." "Yes, Night?" John take glance at her, quietly. "Are you still sure that you want to start your mission?" she question him quietly "You don't have to do this. You been so much for me of sake of giving me a chance to live." "I do, and I when I made a promise, I keep it to make sure it'll never be broken." John responded, the voice of his determination still linger him "You're too important me to lose you." Night sighed yet even she hold her small smile, her thoughts ranged further. John, you really do value me. But, I know that soon or later that when the time comes, I need somepony to look after you. "Night," John gentle voice was heard as she saw him, laid back to the bed and wrapped her around her in a caring embrace, "thank you for everything. No matter what happens, whenever you go, I'll find you to be with you. Together forever." With that his eyes slowly closed down and sleep as Night rubbed his lime green mane, feeling the silky texture of it. She smile a bit as she laid her head on top of his and let herself fall into a deep sleep. Later, as both ponies sleeping peacefully, unnoticed, a dark snake like energies begin to wrapped around her from top to bottom as from the bottom of her hind legs, latched on her turning her normal fade black mist into a deeper black with her cutie mark of her black colored moon turning into a full moon with the black crescent shaped on the middle. She then grunted as the darkness continue to consume the rest of her. **** In her dream where she was fixing their new home, she saw John running towards her as she embrace him as both let go as John smile at her and smile back at him as together they finished their dream home. Suddenly, a rumble was heard as outside begin to turn black and tinted red as lakes begin to go dry, grass withered away as they look and saw a black and a tinted red aura mare stared at them menacing its deep blood eyes. John then changed into his 'Kite Blade' attire and grabbed his daggers, in his defensive stance. Then he charges at the intruder prepare to strike but the intruder use its dark magic to knock him away. "John!" Night screamed as the intruder started walk towards her, reducing everything to nothing as she backed away as about to head back to the cave, it was blocked by a big rock. She dared look back as the intruder with glare that frozen as the only thing that happen to her, was her shrilled scream. **** John shot his eyes open, hearing Night's screamed as he got up and saw her thrashing around, worried for the stallion, "Night?! What's wrong?! Are you ok?!" He removed the blanket and mortified at this sight : half of her body is being turned into jet black with a tinted red aura as a darkness snake continue to consume her, putting her in deep pain. "John! H-Help! My darkness is.....ah!" Night grunted then screamed as it continue to consumer her from her neck. No, no, no, no, no! his mind screamed as he continue to watch this horror as he dash and skim the pages of the stolen books fast as he can until he found a ritual spell that can remove a essence from the owner's body. But it also stated that in order to do it, six powerful magics must be placed on each circle to perform it. Wasting no time, he changed into Kite Blade and hurried outside, but not using his magic as he fired at her, the darkness is frozen in time. "Night, hang tight! I'll get the elements!" he shouted as he use his mist form and dash out of the cave. End Flashback John continue to use his magic for support as the elements of harmony continue to repel the darkness, yet the darkness kept fighting back. But as he about to excel it more, a vision showed him six mares, one princess, and a royal guard is at the front of the forest that he inhabited. Snap, those ponies are looking for me. I can't let them get near to our home! his thoughts ranged as he use his magic to conjured a protection. As the girls and Shining Armor awaited for Princess Luna, the girls felt nervous about going in the forsaken forest. But still, Kite Blade stolen the elements of harmony and fled here in a cave near to the ancient castle of two sister, Luna and Celestia's old castle, the only clue that somehow Twilight able to know where he is. She also explain that somehow she can use her magic to 'feel his presence' but some think that she might take a interest of him which she denied at it. Yet Twilight wonder of it : how can she can use her magic to 'feel his presence' and why did the phantom girl told her to help.......wait, if not mistaken, maybe it's possible that the stallion that the phantom girl mention is Kite Blade. If that's true, then.......... She snapped out of her trance thought when Luna flapped her wings down to the ground, the stern never left her face, "All right everypony, we need to find Kite Blade and retrieve back the Elements of Harmony that he reside in the caves of the castle that Tia and I once set. Does anypony have any rejection to go on this perilous journey?" Applejack's the first one to speak up, "Ah' not going to runaway after that pony stolen the elements. Beside, I'm going to return the favor after his last attack on me." "Yeah, beside, this so called 'savior' is going to learn to never underestimate Rainbow Dash!" Rainbow added. "I agree, beside, we need to stop him from abusing the elements. I know that it was forsaken that he want to use them to save somepony that he desperate, but we can find another way to do it." Rarity agreeing. "Um, well, I do want to make sure that, he well....." Fluttershy mumbled quietly. "No way I'm going to miss this! Beside, maybe after getting the elements back, I can try to throw a Welcome to Ponyville and Thank you For Saving Ponyville party all in one party!" Pinkie piped up, getting odd looks from the group. "As Captain of the Royal Knights, I'll make sure that Kite Blade will be brought to justice for injuring our guards." Shining Armor nodded. "And Twilight?" Luna asked her which she got her attention. "I'm not running away. Beside, the elements is what brought our friendship together." Twilight responded which Luna smile at her. Luna turned and said, "And now, we off the search!" With that, the ponies now trekked into the forest stay behind her, while the fog covered up the road and keeping their eyes for any creatures that might popped up. As the fog became dense, Luna, Twilight, and Shining Armor use their horns as light signals as they continue to trek forward. From the quiet noise with crickets playing tunes to the endless sleep of the sky, the ponies continue to follow Luna. Twilight stayed on her side, while continue to be drifted in her thoughts. So the phantom girl wants me to help Kite Blade recover his memories. But why? Did he got a amnesia? And what purpose does he connect with the strange anomalies happening in Equestria? And why me only? Why not my friends? "I see that you have lots of things happening in your thoughts." Luna said, getting her attention. " 'fraid not. We'll find him and interrogate him of his reason of stealing the elements. " "All right, Luna." she responded as they continue to walk further into the depth of the forest. Unknown to them, Luna also having thoughts like her, and the recent conversation with her sister. If the girl is the same that my sister told me about, could that mean that something happen to Equestria after my sister met her? Flashback "A human girl?" Luna asked Celestia who was watching the night sky at the window of the throne. "Yes, it happen after your banishment to the moon when you're Nightmare Moon." Celestia explained though that Luna deadpanned at that dreadful memory "One night, when Star Swirl and I begin to investigate the strange energies in the Everfree Forest, we found a human girl lying unconscious. For all ponies, we never met a hominid being because we all thought that they gone extinct a thousand year ago before ponies came. After we brought back to his library, she was awaken with no memories. So me and Star Swirl decide to 'adopted' her as our own foal or child in human words. We promise that she isn't allowed to leave the library, for we feared that a sight of a human might bring panic to all ponies. We taught her everything that Star Swirl and I learned along with caring for her. I even name her, 'Radiant' as I felt attach to her that I never want to let her go. But that's when we facing a Parasprite threaten our kingdom. Radiant, sense our trouble, rush out of the library and to our surprise, she use a power that we never seen. A power that petrified and turning it into stone. After that, she got her memory back. It turns out, she was a A.I. being created by humans' own technology , but act as a ruler or a goddess to them on their artificial world. She then begin to disappeared from us as being attach to her, I couldn't allow her to go. But she told me that she was lucky to have a gentle mother and a gentle grandfather as she disappear, return to her world." Luna mouth was agape at this tale. Her sister and Star Swirl had been secretly taking care of a A.I. human girl after being banish to the moon from everypony. Still, she saw her sister eyes watering, dripping down tears. She understand this. How is like to find a child and become a parent to them but leaving them to their life is even harder. She nuzzled her cheek and hug her. "It's all right, Tia. I understand how much you miss her. But I know that deep inside, you know that you did the right thing." Luna soothe her which Celestia sniffled a bit and return the hug. "Thank you, Luna." she then look at the night sky and her thought called for Radiant's true name, "Aura." End Flashback I wonder if........this Kite Blade........Luna's thoughts continue to drift about him, but shaking those thoughts, as they continue to headed deeper until the fog faded, reaching their destination. "We're here." Applejack said as the ponies take glance of the old castle now as ruins. Luna frowned as memories of her corruption as Nightmare Moon flooded her as Twilight saw it with her worried expression. "Luna, are you ok?" she asked her snapped out of her trance. "Yes, just fine, Twilight. Just seen those ruins made me wish......." Luna trailed off of her thoughts, sadden of those memories. "You never be jealous of your sister?" Twilight guessed which she nodded. "Luna", Fluttershy came to her side as Luna glance at her, "we cannot change the past that's already done, but we can start changing the future. So don't dwell on what have you done before." Luna gave her a small smile at her attempt to cope with her, "Thank you, Fluttershy." "So where's the waterfall that pony lived?" Rainbow looking from left to right, using her hoof to peered at the location. "It should be close to right side of the forest. Not that too far from the old castle." Luna pointed at the direction as she head toward that direction with the others following her. "So, any idea of how we're going to fight him back?" Applejack asked them which they haven't thought of it. "Well, for one thing, he stand on his hind legs in order to use his daggers." Shining Armor pointed out " Since he's a unicorn, he might tried to channel his magic to power up his weapons along with his special attacks along with using his bracelet power." "Right, Spike said that his final attack, Da-ta what you called that, can change anypony or anyone upon a hit into who knows what he'll do." Rainbow added which the others nodded. "Don't forget, his blades glows in different colors, so we need to be very careful of his attack he's about to preformed." Twilight said "So me and my brother can preform a shield that can block most of his attacks, but I'm not certain if it's enough against his Data Drain attack." "But, what about those bluish flames chains that he used?" Rarity asked "If those chains caught you, he'll able to pull towards himself or charging at us." "By my guess, those daggers that he used, it has a elemental magic to it so me, my brother, and Luna can perform a barrier if that happen." Twilight responded. As they came to a stop, they found a lake clear in a night sky as on the right a waterfall crashing down to it while at that, a stone ridge that was entrench to make a bridge as the others walk towards it, only their sight, they're no sign of a cave near to a waterfall. "What?!" Twilight stuttered "B-but I don't understand! There was a cave near to a waterfall!" "Calm down, Twilight." Luna placed her shoulder to calm her down "This is the right place, correct?" She nodded as Luna said, "Well it's seem that our 'savior' likes to hide a lot." "What do you mean?" Twilight asked as Luna walk towards the big bolder as she place her hoof on to it which phased through, surprising the others. "It would seem that he able to develop a camouflage spell onto the cave's entrance, making what look like to be blocked. Me and my sister able to sense it." Luna explained as she use her magic to dissipate the camouflage spell he conjured and revealed the entrance to the cave. As the ponies enter, all they see is pitched black with only caverns with sounds of water dripping down was heard. Both the princesses use their horns as their magic energies shine on their horns. Then the ponies continue to walk on the caverns ; the princesses flash around their lighten horns around the cave. Applejack and Rainbow Dash cautiously monitor the caverns while walking, Fluttershy felt her legs shaking in fear as gotten closer to Rarity, who was complaining of the dirt of the caverns which irritated Applejack, Shining Armor have a neutral look on the caverns, and Pinkie Pie.........well it's Pinkie Pie, just bouncing with her smile while trying to lighten up the mood. As Rarity kept complaining, Applejack, at her breaking point, glare at her, "Would you please stop complaining, Rarity?! We're on the mission to get back the elements from Kite Blade!" "Oh I know, but I never understand why would he choose this as a home! I mean, just look at this!" Rarity pointed out "Dark, gloomy and dirty caves! And not to mention waters that was dripping on my mane and my coat!" Applejack rolled her eyes as the others continue to walk on the caves until they heard a squish! sound from Rarity's hooves and gasped loudly, "Uggh! What the -?!" She look at her hooves and it was covered in some type of bluish and pink frosting on her hooves- wait frosting? The others came to her side as Pinkie gasped loudly at this sight, "Those frosting! That's looks like my MMMM cake!" Princess Luna and Twilight flash their light up hooves on the ground and found something that Pinkie gasped again : it was a cake that was mushy, stale and being eaten. "My cake!" she shriek at the sight of her beloved cake. "How did Kite Blade got this?!" Shining Armor asked them incredulously. "Um, girls, I don't that the only one. Look." Rainbow pointed as the princesses' horns flash to her direction, revealing something that Applejack, Rarity, and Twilight fainted. "That's m'ah missing apple tree!" Applejack shriek. "My award winning clothes!" Rarity added. "And the missing books!" Twilight said as the others came to their stolen stuffs. Applejack shed a tear bit, seeing the horror of her tree now wither and died, Rarity fainted again after seeing her creation now not only covered in dirt and mud but wrinkled and tears, and Twilight levitate the books now wet, soggy, and torn. Her expression was shocked and her mouth quiver as she about to bawl but struggling her feelings. As for Pinkie, well.........Rainbow had to clamp her scream with her hooves. "So, Kite Blade is the thief from last night?!" Rainbow exaggerated with a scowled and smack her hooves "Oh, that's it! When I get my hooves on him, I'm going to buck him that'll sends him to Tartarus!" "That's right!" Rarity said, getting back up with her eyes now with daggers that want to take revenge and her pupils have fire in them and the scary thing happened is her voice that sound similar to what happen to Pinkie when Applejack broke the Pinkie Promise before "NOPONY! RUIN! MY! CREATION!" Shining whispered to Luna, feeling scared which she nodded at his response, "Good thing Spike isn't here otherwise well..........." "Same thing!" Applejack tip her stetson hat with her eyes now in fire and snort her nostrils "I'm going to buck him for ruining m'ah good apples!" "Save the bucking for me!" Pinkie voice was heard but in a similar demonic voice and pulled a huge wooden hammer with a metallic rings on each side and her cutie mark was seen on the middle "NOPONY STEAL MY CAKE!!!!!!!" However, instead of Twilight, growled in rage like the rest, she saw that the torn clothes was folded and used as a blanket that's big for only two ponies on the side; she then take a look of her books along with the stale cake, the apple trees, and the fire was in the middle, along with leaves that are carved in plate and cup shaped, she begin pieces the clues that she gasped at the solution. She shift her gaze to her enraged friends (except Fluttershy, hiding behind Luna), who have fires in their eyes, and steam snorting from their nostrils, preparing to charge forward to buck him. "Girls, wait!" Twilight called their attention despite their enraged expression "We can't hurt him!" "And why not, Twilight?!" Rarity narrowed her eyes "He stole our stuff last night and soiled them!" "I know, but I think he use them as a surviving tools not just for himself but for somepony else." Twilight gestured to the leaves shaped plates and cups as she explained, point to each individual stuffs to their respective friends (except Rainbow and Fluttershy) "All I know is that he been living with somepony else in the Everfree Forest. My guess is that the pony that Kite Blade was closer, he had to scavenge some stuff from the forest to make a living. Rarity, your award winning dress that Kite Blade stolen, he used them as pillows and blankets for them. Applejack, your stolen apple tree was used for firewood for their fires to keep them warm. Pinkie, your 'MMM' cake was used for him and the pony for the things that he unable to afford. And my books, he must trying to learn of magic because maybe he unable to go to school. But with those design of plates and cups from leaves, he must able to gain rations for each other. They're trying to survive together." The others then soften their expression, seeing how she making sense of his reason of stealing their stuffs. Fluttershy then quietly asked Twilight, "If that's true, then we need to at least help him and that other pony he deeply cared." "Flutters, not to question, but he STOLE the Elements of Harmony, and plus I don't if we can try to, since he always being um what's the word................." Rainbow's expression changed with her voice raised " a JERK!" "I agree with Fluttershy, we had to help him." Twilight said which the others widened her eyes in gaped manner as she continue, "I don't why though, but I felt something in my heart." She placed her hoof on her body, "I felt something weird when I saw him the first time. I can somehow, felt, a void and........" she closed her eyes "a loneliness in him." The girls raised their eyebrows in confusion manner, but then gave a exasperated sigh. Rarity then spoke up, "All right, darling, we'll get our elements back from him and convince him and the other pony to stay at Ponyville." "I don't know, but I'll give a try to help him though." Applejack nodded. "Same thing!" Pinkie appeared, surprising the others "Beside, what Kite Blade and that other pony needs is some friends to help him!" "And Rainbow?" Twilight asked her, pouting with her legs crossed then gave a exasperated sigh, "Fine." Twilight smiled that her friends able to calm down then glance back at her brother, which he nodded as he read her mind. She nodded along with Luna and Fluttershy too as the others continue traveled to the deepest parts of the cave. As they reached to the deepest part of the cave, they saw something that surprised them : from the end of the huge cave, a two towers stand on each side with another on the middle. It was old as ancient that nopony ever seen with a stained glass showed various pictures of bipedal humans. Humans that Twilight never seen before. "What's this?" Twilight asked as Luna step forward then placing her hoof on her chin. "It's look like a cathedral." Luna responded which the others turned to her. "A cathedral?" Applejack asked. "Yes, it's a church building that pony used in the ancient times. Ponies come to here and pray for the spirits of the harmonies to guide them when Discord starting to cause disharmony to Equestria and before me and my sister seal him away. Since then, many of them are rarely used outside of Equestria to pray for the spirits of the harmonies." Luna explained to them. " I have a hunch that the elements of harmony are inside." She turned to them with a serious expression, "I'll need to ask all of you to prepare what you need to prepare before we enter." The others nodded as they start looking into their stash with items, magics, etc. As they look around, the ponies able to find supplies from the mysterious markets. Once they checked twice or even 35 times, they came back to Luna as she asked them, "Are you all set? Once we enter, there's no going back." The others nodded as the others now enter the cathedral. Inside, empty wooden seats was set on each side as the ponies able to see the stain glass shine on the seats, which is strange that there is no sun to reflected as each of the stain glass shows more of the humans. One is a boy wearing a strangely wizard outfit with a grey hair and a somewhat pale skin with red rectangles on his face, holding what to appear a staff. The other was another boy who looks mean with red eyes and a red tattoos on his face and a shaggy silver hair with some of his clothes have midriff on parts of his body, holding a curve dagger with spikes attach to it and finally another boy who looks like Kite Blade, but have a red vibrant and a belt on the hips. As they reached to the end, they saw someone familiar: a pony wearing a orange and yellow garbs with a hat, standing on their way with a determine eyes. "Kite Blade!!!!" Twilight shouted as the ponies charged towards him which he unfazed by them. As they stop, the gotten into a battle stance. "Looks like you got no where to run or hide!" Shining Armor said readied his horn. "Now where's the elements of harmony?!" Twilight asked him which he wasn't imitated by them. "You shouldn't come here. I need them to use their powers to save somepony that I care for." Kite Blade coldly replied. "Kite Blade, we understand why you stole them, but we can try other ways to save that somepony you cared for!" Luna trying to reason him which he closed his eyes. "I know, but......" he turned back to them "......you wouldn't understand who I was trying to save." "Kite Blade......." Twilight muttered. "Perhaps I show the pony I deeply cared for. " Kite Blade said as he use his spell as the walls then begin disintegrate and reveal a ritual spell already in motion fixing up parts of the body with the Twilight Bracelet continue to activate the elements of harmony. As the ponies begin to see inside of the ritual bubble, their eyes shocked as they felt that all of the villains were defeated, gone from existence. A pony that almost brought the eternal night a year ago. Nightmare Moon. "NIGHTMARE MOON?! You, the savior of Ponyville, are trying to resurrect NIGHTMARE MOON?!!!" Rainbow screamed. "Have your lost your mind?! That monster is the embodiment of darkness, hurting both Luna and Rarity and almost putting Equestria in serious jeopardy !" Applejack snapped at him. "My mother is no longer that monster she was once." Kite Blade replied which the others widened their eyes in a shocked expression "She's now changed. Because of the elements of harmony now linger inside of her and the emotion of the Princess of Night, she's now suffering and I'm the one who can end it." "Kite Blade, Nightmare Moon is a dangerous being that shouldn't be here. It caused misery and sorrow that put all of ponies in danger!" Luna shouted, feeling the painful memories of what she done before, which he glare at them. "You resurrect Nightmare Moon and it would be the end of Equestria!" Shining Armor added. "You, and every ponies wouldn't understand that she's now a new being not the embodiment of darkness. She's everything to me! She the only friend that consider my mother to me and she's being suffering of her dark half consuming her! I made a promise to her that I'll stay with her so she'll able to get a second chance and to live in Equestria! And if you ponies won't understand my reason and the suffer that we felt," he pulled his daggers from his side and got into his battle stance " then I'll defend her and keep that promise we made!" Then suddenly, the glass stained break down as each of the pieces begin to dissipate into magics and flew to his side, created a clone of him only this time with two bulk like gunmetal clad shoulder armors and a gunmetal chest armor holding a huge sword through his front legs as another create with a identical design of the human boy holding his staff. Then as more magic comes, created five more of him with each of them holding different armors and weapons, ready to punish their gaped foes. "Oh boy......" was all of the words that Shining Armor said as all of them now charged at them which they charged back. Shining Armor fires his magic at 'The Mage' form of Kite Blade which he use his staff to conjure a barrier then reflect back at him, knocking of his feet but holding his ground. Then 'The Mage' form begin chanting a spell as a thundercloud strike a lighting bolt heading towards him as Shining conjured a lavender barrier as the lighting bolt bounce out. Then Shining use his spell as a magical sword appeared from his mouth as he charged at the Mage which he block using his staff as he conjured a fire spell and knock him out of his way. Grrr..... that Mage form of him is starting to irritate me.....Shining Armor growled in his mind. Meanwhile both Rainbow and Applejack are having trouble with the 'Heavy Sword' Kite Blade, slamming his giant board sword at them which they dodge it easily as a 'Sharpshooter' form of Kite Blade jump and holds what to appear to be guns with energy blades coming from the trigger guards as he fires multiple magic shots at them which the two ponies grunted in pain. "Those guys are getting in our nerves!" Rainbow exclaimed as he charged at the Heavy Sword Kite Blade which he block using his weapon as a shield as he thrust his front hoof and punch her in her face which she flew back as the 'Sharpshooter' lock on her but a lasso caught his waist as he thrown to the ground. Applejack then trotted to Rainbow and use a potion bottle to heal her wounds. "Thanks, AJ" Rainbow said, gave her a smile as the two ponies now got back into their battle stances prepare for the two. While as Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rarity dodge from 'Heavy Axe' Kite Blade, swung his massive axe into the ground as a 'Knuckle Master' Kite Blade thrust his fire hoofs at them madly, which Rarity dodge quickly but too late when the hoofs burn through her mane which she shrieked at this. "HOW DARE YOU,YOU RUFFIAN!?" Rarity enraged at this with her voice became something that's deadly as she block each of the 'Knuckle Master' 'fist' and counter back at him using her martial arts. The 'Heavy Axe' Kite Blade charge at her which Fluttershy intervene using her famous 'The Stare' which stunned him at this sight. As on cue, Pinkie Pie use her party cannon and fire a pink glob on him which he begin struggle to break free. "Booya! Hope you like my famous Pinkie's Super Duper Yummy Delicious Bubble Gum Cake Batter!" Pinkie pie said triumphantly but it was short lived as the 'Heavy Axe' use a spell and a bluish flames burn the sticky batter, freeing him. "Uh-oh." Pinkie piped as the 'Heavy Axe' now ticked at her, charging at her with a battle cry only she dodge this time as she use her party cannon, fire the sticky cake batter but the 'Heavy Axe' cut the batter away as he slice the party cannon in half. "Hey! That was my favorite!" Pinkie angrily said as she pulled another party cannon from....... wherever she gotten from "Good thing I had lots of spare party cannons!" As she fire a different batter, the 'Heavy Axe' kept sweep the batter away as he sweep back at her, Pinkie struggle to break free of her batter. Then the 'Heavy Axe' now confront Fluttershy as she use her stare at him only to use his stare back at her which both of them are in the stalemate. As for Twilight and Princess Luna, Twilight charges at Kite Blade himself while his clone, a 'Paladin' charging against Princess Luna as each of them clash their own magic swords, dodging each of their attacks as one point, Princess Luna use her magic and fire a big beam but the 'Paladin' use his sword and cut the beam in half then charges at Luna which she blocks the attack. Then Kite Blade's daggers begin to glow white as he speed up towards Twilight, which block it using her own magic barrier. She then can see through his azure flame eyes which filled with so much sadness and burdens to help the former embodiment of darkness which she then seeing something in her mind : Memories of them. From the first time they met and caring for each other despite of the struggles and her original nature, John's words were true. Nightmare Moon did change and begin suffer from her inner darkness. If that was true then........ She snapped out of her stupor and continue holding the barrier. "Stop this, Kite Blade!" Twilight shouted, holding her barrier up "We can try another way to save her! Please allow us---" Her words interrupted as a side kick break the barrier as Kite Blade fire a azure flames on her, causing her to stumble down. "You'll not touch her nor take her away from me!" Kite Blade growled at her. "I promise to protect her even if I died here!" He then charged at her raise his daggers as Twilight teleport out of the way before he slash her and ended up with Luna who pushed out the Paladin which did a double flip and landed near to Kite Blade who glared at them with his piercing eyes. Luna grunted, holding her stance with Twilight hesitated but remain vigilant as Luna spoke, "This had to stop, Kite Blade! If we keep fighting each other like this, then Nightmare Moon--" "She's no longer that monster!" Kite Blade interrupted her "She had changed! And even if there's still part of that darkness, I'll make sure that I'll be there for her as a light!" Both of them charged at them with Kite Blade charging a bluish light as he shouted, "AZURE SWORD MODE!!!!!!" With his daggers now envelop into a azure flames, he dash towards them as the two princesses conjured a magic barrier, Kite Blade slammed his blades into it, indented a crack into it as the Paladin now swing his magic sword into the crack as the barrier now shattered into pieces, Luna and Twilight grunted in pain due to the magic now shattered as Kite Blade and the Paladin swung their weapons into them, causing them to bounce into the dirt. Both of the princesses grunted, struggle to stand up as Twilight use a potion as a healing energies rejuvenate them. Twilight take glance at Luna and said, "Luna, I think I begin to see that Kite Blade is telling the truth." Luna winced at her words in utter shocked, "What do you mean, Twilight?! You know that's the embodiment of darkness that almost destroyed Equestria-" "Yes I know, but when I face him, something allow me to see into his memories. Nightmare Moon was originally planned to use him to steal the Elements of Harmony to revive herself. But something had change her. Kite Blade apparently deeply care for her despite of the awful things she done as he worked hard how much he's risking everything just for the sake of giving her a second chance which in truth, a half of her darkness self is controlling her even she struggle to control it." Twilight interrupted her conjured a barrier as the two fighters charging at them "My guess is that since she's originally a part of you then to Rarity, half of the personalities combine with the magic of the Elements able to revive her as another living pony." Luna widened her eyes at her statement as Twilight grunted with the shield starting to break. Luna conjured multiple magic beams as Twilight lowered the shield, she fire at them which once hit them, hold them in a magic grip as they begin to struggle to break free. "I don't believe it. My evil persona and darkness now reborn as another pony......" Luna muttered in depression. She couldn't hardly believe that what Twilight saying is true since she sense her honesty from her. Her nightmare persona......the one that cause so much pain and sadness......now resurrected as another pony or in case.......another Luna. She gaze at the ritual which Night gaze back at her and to Luna surprise, a tear was gliding to her face. Suddenly, Luna widened her eyes as a thought came to her head. Please.........you need to........stop the ritual........before.......it'll rise again......She shook her head at the voice in confusion. Was that Nightmare Moon? Why would she want to stop the ritual unless.........She widened her eyes as she realize at that answer as she gallop to the ritual and use her magic, gripping the bracelet that keep the Elements of Harmony magic going as she struggle to remove it. "Princess Luna, what are you doing?!" Twilight shouted. "No! Don't you dare stop the ritual!" Kite Blade screamed struggle to break free as Luna continue to pull it out of the ritual. Luna take glance at Twilight which Twilight, read her mind nodded as she gallop to her friends who still struggle to fight against the other clones as she conjured a freeze spell, holding the clones in place which some of them begin to struggle, screaming through their teeth. "Guys! Princess Luna need help!" Twilight shouted as she rushed to help the lunar princess with the others now following her as they each of them attempt to help Luna pull the bracelet out of the ritual. "Nooo! Don't!" Kite Blade screamed, continue to struggle with anger yet tearful eyes as the ritual begin almost complete half of the body as the magic now begin to materialize the neck and the head. The ponies pulled harder as if they pulling a heavy no a colossal part of the castle until, with their strength, finally.......able to remove the bracelet. Kite Blade look in horror as the ritual begin to dissipate into nothingness. The magic that holds and channel the Elements of Harmony were dropped down with a metal sound with Night fall to the ground. Twilight levitate the elements as they check to see if they're ok luckly their answer is already seen as the ponies sighed happily. "Thank goodness." Twilight said as they heard Kite Blade's scream, breaking out of her magic grasp and rushed towards Night. "Night, are you ok?!" Kite Blade asked her which she moaned little while looking at what she's now. Half of her body became similar to Princess Luna's coat with only difference is the azure and light blue tail mane but her neck and head remain as a mist. Kite Blade glare at the ponies, anger begin to boil over his mind yet able to control himself, "Do you know what you have done?! Night is almost being complete to be a living pony. And you took that chance away from her! Why?!" The girls even Shining Armor were startled at his voice raised but Luna stepped forward with her stern glare at him, "Because Nightmare Moon or 'Night' that you called her, want to stop the ritual." That answer surprise Kite Blade and the other ponies, "What?" "Night realize that her dark half can be free through the use of the Elements of Harmony and render it useless once all of the magic is gone, so she tried to stop your foolishness but you been devote to give her a second chance had blinded you. Luckly, the Elements of Harmony still have enough magic within it." Luna explained which his eyes widened in surprise then take glance at her. "Is that true?" Kite Blade ask her, wanting to know the answer which she gave a weak nodded. "Y-yes. It's the reason why....... I tried to......stop you.........John." she said, still holding her breath "My.......darkness.....tried to.......revive.......through....the use of........elements.........and render it........useless........" Kite Blade was mortified at this. All this time, he allow to put the entire world in danger because of his promise to help her give a second chance? Does he had the right to called himself a 'savior'? "Don't blame yourself, my son...........I should told you the reason............ I........" But before she can ask further, Night screamed in so much pain that a pure darkness wave pulse through the cave as ponies were shocked at the event as the darkness consume her into an orb until the orb burst out, revealing to Princess Luna, Shining Armor, and the Mane 6 along with Kite Blade, having a shocking expression, their old enemy. "Night!" he screamed as the old enemy landed on the ground. Once Night was a kind and gentle mother figure to Kite Blade. Now the darkness took her away from him and turn her into a monster of the past she spoken of. Pure jet black mane with dark blue mane and light blue armor around her. But what's worst is the eyes open with icy pupil that have slits and sharp teeth. But what's different is the eerie dark red aura surrounded her. "AHAHAHAHAHAH! AT LONG LAST, FOR THE THOUSAND YEARS, I HAVE BEEN DEFEATED BY THE ELEMENTS. NO LONGER! NOW THAT I'M REVIVE, I'LL RESUME WHAT I SHOULD HAVE DONE!" the monster cackled with voice that neither sound like Luna, Rarity, or even Night as thunderclouds begin shot everywhere. "Night, NO!" Kite Blade pleaded as the monster take glance at him with scowl glare. Then she lower her horn and using her magic as it blasted him to the ground unconscious shocking the other ponies. "Kite Blade!" Twilight shouted. "NIGHT IS NO MORE! NOW AND FOREVER, I AM NIGHTMARE MOON!" she shouted as the ponies rushed to his side and check for any injuries. "He's unconscious, Twiliy." Shining Armor said earning shocks from the others as Princess Luna turn her attention towards Nightmare Moon with a furious scowl. "AND NOW, THE NIGHT SHALL LAST FOREVER!!!!" With thunderclouds crash down, the ponies now prepare for their worst foe. > Entrust > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- At the Canterlot Castle, Princess Celestia watch from the adjacent tower as the night still sleeps over the starry skies with the stars twinkle on it. She sighed as her pet, Philomena, begin to rub her affectionately, soothe her anxiousness as she gave her a smile. Suddenly, she saw dark clouds coming out from the Everfree Forest as it swirl around it with lighting clash around it as a powerful gale of winds burst around. Ponies in Ponyville and Canterlot begin coming out of their homes as they point at the anomalies in sight of fear. Princess Celestia, unfazed by this event, stare at the source of the event. Oh no, Twilight........Luna......... "Princess Celestia!" a Royal Guard came to her side "The ponies from both Canterlot and Ponyville begin to go into a panic. " "Yes, I understand." With that, Princess Celestia turned to leave to calm the situation in both areas, but she take one more glance at the event and muttered that nopony hear, "Twilight.......Luna..........please........come home safe........" As Nightmare Moon's menacing laughter echo through the caves, the ponies were still shocked that their old enemy is revived even Princess Luna. And to make it worst, Kite Blade, was unconscious due to Nightmare Moon shot him. Now as Shining Armor look after the unconscious 'savior', Twilight and her friends including Luna, watch as Nightmare Moon now glare at the ponies, "AAAHHHH, GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN, LUNA AND THE ELEMENTS." Nightmare Moon said, the evil smirk never leave her side taking glance at them who return with glares that are like daggers which unfazed her. "WHAT? NOT HAPPY TO SEE ME AGAIN FOR ALL THESE YEARS?" "Not ever, Nightmare!" Princess Luna barked. "We never have the pleasure of you back." "Yeah we defeat you once, we'll do it again !" Rainbow Dash said only to make the monster cackle at them which Rainbow growled. "SUCH HEROIC NONSENSE. YOU AND YOUR SO CALLED "FRIENDS" HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH I GOTTEN STRONGER SINCE YOU DEFEATED ME WHEN I CAPTURE ONE OF THE ELEMENTS AND RENDER IT USELESS. DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT YOU CAN MAKE EVERY DARKNESS GO AWAY ALL THIS TIME? FOOL! YOU ONLY MAKING ME STRONGER!" Nightmare Moon said as dark clouds swirl around and conjured a screen of their previous victories. "WHEN YOU PURGE ME OUT OF MY HOST THE TIME THAT YOU ELEMENTS ARE BORN, MY DARKNESS ABLE TO ABSORB THE ANCIENT MAGIC THAT THE ELEMENTS HAVE AND USE IT AS MY OWN. THE SAME THING WHEN I HAVE YOUR 'RARITY' AS MY HOST, I CONTINUE TO COLLECT MORE OF THE ELEMENTS THROUGH HER, STRENGTH ME UNTIL THE TIME BEING. I TOOK THE TIME TO HID INTO THE EVERFREE FOREST UNTIL MY STRENGTH RETURNS. BUT THERE SOME FLAWS THAT BOTH THE ELEMENTS AND YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS DID WHEN I BECAME YOUR NIGHTMARES." "A flaw?" Fluttershy wonder as the screen changed as it shows as the rainbow effects of the elements created another pony. "THE POSITIVE HARMONY ENERGIES AND THE PERSONALITY THAT MY HOSTS CONTAIN ALLOW ME TO BE SEALED AWAY AND CREATED ANOTHER PONY. OR SIMPLY PUT, ANOTHER YOU, LUNA!" Nightmare Moon explained which everypony shocked about this. "Wait, what?!" Rainbow exclaimed. "That's impossible!" Shining Armor adopted the same expression as Rainbow but Nightmare Moon ignore them as she continue. "BECAUSE OF THIS, I WAS TRAPPED! TRAPPED INTO THE OTHER LUNA! HOWEVER," the screen change as it shows Night begin to gone into similar way as Luna did "SINCE SHE WAS ANOTHER YOU, LUNA, I ABLE TO CORRUPT HER THOUGHTS AND MAKE HER GIVE IN INTO THE DARKNESS. HOWEVER, WHEN THAT SO CALLED 'SAVIOR' CAME, I MANIPULATE HER INTO LIE TO HIM TO STEAL THE ELEMENTS OF HARMONY SO THAT I CAN BE REBORN ONCE AGAIN UNTIL HE BEGIN TO CARE FOR HER SO MUCH THAT SHE NOW TOLD THE TRUTH YET HE MADE A PROMISE TO HER THAT HE'LL STILL STEAL THE ELEMENTS TO GIVE THAT PATHETIC HOST, A SECOND CHANCE. HOWEVER, EVEN WITH HER TRYING TO STOP HIM, HIS 'PROMISE' ONLY LED ME TO MY RESURRECTION BUT WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT, JUST BEFORE NIGHT TOLD HER ABOUT MY PLANS, I ABLE TO USE MY REMAINING ENERGIES TO BEGIN MY RESURRECTION, LEAVING HIM TO CARRIED THAT PROMISE!" With that, the ponies (except Fluttershy) narrowed their eyes and growled in anger for that monster manipulating them. Unknown to them, Kite Blade stirred his right eye a bit, hearing every conversation before fall to unconscious state but not with his mind echo through his head, Am I worthy of hold the tittle 'savior' when I endanger everypony because of my 'promise' to her? "You monster........" Twilight muttered as everypony glance at her as she narrowed her eyes in anger "You're won't getting away with this!" The girls, Luna, and Shining Armor were surprised at her voice raised but soon understand why. "OH? DOES THE NEW PRINCESS WANT TO FIGHT ME KNOWING THAT I ACQUIRED SUCH POWER FROM THE SAME MAGIC YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS USED ON ME?" the monster asked, entertained. "Yes!" Twilight answered "For what you cause them so much pain, we'll defeat you!" "HA! IF YOU WANT TO FIGHT ME, THEN BE MY GUEST!" Nightmare Moon replied. She turned to her friends and asked "Girls, are you ready? For both Kite Blade and Night?" "Yeah! I can't believe I'm going be sappy for ponies I never met, but I'm not going to let Kite Blade and Night suffer!" Rainbow responded angrily, clapping her hoof with her other one. "Same thing, Rainbow! I'll never forgive what Nightmare Moon have done to them!" Applejack agreed, tip her hat. "I maybe be a lady but what that monster have done to them, IT. IS. ON!" Rarity responded with her narrowed eyes. "Me too!" Pinkie got her party cannon ready as she stuff a batter into it. "I'm going too, Twilight." Luna said as Twilight take a glance at her narrowed yet angry eyes "I won't let everypony suffer because of this nightmare." "So do I." Shining Armor said as he turned to Fluttershy "Fluttershy, can you watch over him? I know you don't like to fight but just for a little while until we need you." She nodded as he hand over him to her as she set him into her lap as he got his helmet and put it on as he trotted to them and got into a battle stance like the others. "HA! THEN COME AND WITNESS MY REBIRTH!" Nightmare Moon entertained as the ponies charging at her. Applejack and Rainbow charging at her as they use their hind legs to buck her, but she doge quickly as she use her magic and blast them to the ground but they got back up and headed straight for her as Rainbow soar up and flying kick only for Nightmare conjured a metal board sword and block the kick as a clang was heard as she sweep her out as Applejack caught her using her lasso. "Thanks, AJ." Rainbow said which she nodded as set her down, she charging at her as dodging the angles of the sword that Nightmare swung with it, she use her hind legs to buck her only for quick block from her sword to blocked it as Nightmare leap up, then conjure two guns and squeeze the trigger, firing multiple bullets at her . A purple shield was created around her as Shining Armor hold the spell as Luna and Twilight headed straight towards her as Luna conjured a sword as Nightmare conjure her own as each of them clash their blades, trading blows at each other while blocking their attacks as Luna slash forward at her only for her to disappear into a mist then reappear in the back as blasted her with her magic, then Rainbow zoomed toward her which she disappear into a mist then using her magic, she bite her mane and slammed her to the ground. Then Rarity use her magic as multiple bullets at the monster only for her to conjured a shield as Twilight unleash her magic at her which Nightmare Moon knock it away as the magic hits the ceiling of the cave. Then she charge at her which she dodge of her magic bullets then her sword as she block it using her own shield but the impact from it break it as Nightmare Moon kick her stomach, sending her to the ground with the others as Pinkie use her party cannon as she fire multiple sticky batter but she use her horn and sweep them out as she fire a big beam and hit the ground which knock Pinkie. Shining Armor charging at her, conjure his own sword as just like Luna, each of them traded blows of their swords, as he thrust his sword at her head only for her to dodge it then grabbed his and slam to the ground which he conjured a shield from the impact as darkness drills strike forward to him as he dodge it and slice them. Then Twilight got back up, growled as Rarity came to her side and use a potion item as it rejuvenating them with a soothing green magic around them and wounds healed. "FUNNY, I THOUGHT THAT YOU ELEMENTS AND LUNA MIGHT BE A CHALLENGE FOR MY NEW POWERS?" Nightmare Moon cackled as dark tinted red aura flow through her "IT'S A SHAME THAT I HAD TO END IT ONCE AND FOR ALL STARTING WITH MY TRUE FORM!" As the aura wave pulse through the cave, all of the clones of Kite Blade, screamed in pain as they disappeared, turned into magic particles as all of them flow around her and absorbed into it. Then as energies begin to spark everywhere, her body begin to transformed. From her hooves, claws appeared as dark blood like red armor with demonic features into it, the body begin to encase into the same armor as her original but with dragon features, the feathers of the wings now replaced with curved like blades and armor holding into her, her mane including her tail, now have dark tentacle like drills with jet blacks on them, and the head now attached with a demonic dragon head as fangs grew into sharp teeths. The girls, Shining Armor, and Luna (getting back up from the impact of Nightmare Moon) were shocked at this formed. This Nightmare Moon's new form can even scared the bravest Royal Guards by gazing the demonic red eyes. With that, Nightmare speak to them, however it's more demonic than her original form, "HAHAHAHAHAHA! NOW LET'S FINISH THIS BATTLE WITH A FINALE! THE FINALE THAT DARKNESS WIN OVER THE LIGHT! AND YOU AND ALL OF PONIES BOW TO ME, PHANTOM NIGHTMARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!" As the ponies gritted their teeth at their now seemly powerful old foe, Fluttershy, saw this and knew that the girls going to need their support. Even faced scary creatures from before, she knew that her friends need her. She set him to the ground, but not whispered to him, "I going to help my friends. Just, um........be ok." And with that, she flew to her friends' side, prepare to face the monster but not for anypony, Kite Blade groan a bit before fainted back to subconscious. Inside of his mind, John floated down to the darkest abyss, motionless as he kept staring at the dark blue waves, continuing diving into the darkness. All of this time, his mission to give Night a second chance.............he endanger everypony because of his actions. And now that her darkness finally consume her, she's gone. It's all my fault.........if only I listened to her in the first place........he muttered through his mind. I'm not even.......worthy of.......calling......myself a savior......... Now Equestria is doomed..........because of me........... I'm so sorry..........Night.........I.......I........ As he about to close his eyes, a bright light flashes as he saw it coming towards him : a speck of light as he hold with both of his hooves, a familiar voice was heard, "John........." "Night?" "John...........don't blame yourself...........it wasn't entirely your fault.........I was the one.........to blame too........" her voice echoed, in a calming tone. "But it is, Night......." John looked away, feeling ashamed "Everything I tried to help you, I only made things worst............for both you and the world........I don't even.........earned the..........name of.........the word savior." "Even so, you have the power to make it right again..........you already were my.........savior..........in the first place........." Night said earning his glance back to her. "I do not know how you got here..........but the times I spend with you...........I already found something else than........a second chance........" John was puzzled as Night continue to explain, "I found a child. You were my light. The light that I found all this time in my loneliness. You are what I'm now. And it's all I ever wanted in my life." To him, it was shocked beyond understatement, but he form a smile at her and whisper to her, "Thank you, mother, but how I suppose to defeat Nightmare Moon? She's too strong." "John, she may be strong, but she only strong through the elements. Every powers always have a weakness. You just need to figure it out." Night explained which he nodded. "But there's something you need to know why I'm here too, my son, so you need to listen........" Night said as John begin listen to her origin. His eyes widened at that point when he was shocked that she was created by the Elements of Harmony, yet she also become another image of Princess Luna to seal Nightmare Moon. He also felt sad that she also gone the same process of the suffering that Princess Luna gone through. Yet, he narrow his eyes at what Nightmare Moon's plan to turn the Elements of Harmony into Elements of Darkness and plunge the world into eternal darkness. After listing to her plight, she said to him before disappearing "Now, hurry..........the ponies.........they need you now........." With that, he got into his hoof and a bright light flashed his conscious. As John begin to open his eyes, his vision once blurred now became clear as he got back up. Then he saw something horrifying : Nightmare Moon turned into a demonic dragon like pony and each time the ponies tried to land a hit on her, she swatted away like bugs. Knowing that there's still a chance, he got back to his battle pose and pulled his dagger once more, charging with his azure blue flames as he rushed to the battle. Meanwhile, Twilight wasn't faring well with the battle even her friends do too, with scars, bruises, and bloods coming from their scratches. Phantom Nightmare kept firing jet black magics at her as she kept dodging while trying to find another weakness. Then she saw Phantom Nightmare thrust her tentacles like mane as before Twilight can conjure a shield, the tentacles wrapped around her in a tight squeeze, as she was thrown to the ground with a hard thud. Then as the ponies tried to reach their friend, Phantom Nightmare use it again with all of them and slammed them to the ground. With the ponies struggle to get up, each of them begin losing their strengths as both Rainbow and Applejack tried to get up but winced at the pain of their wing/hoof being broken, Fluttershy and Luna tried to get up slowly, but failing including Shining Armor, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie, who gotten their backs in pain. As Phantom Nightmare came to the crater of the injure Twilight, she saw her continue to get up despite the inevitable as she use her magic as a dark red like glow surrounded the princess and begin to choke her to her eye level. "IT'S ASHAMED THAT YOU PUT UP A WEAK FIGHT, BEARER OF MAGIC" Phantom Nightmare taunted as Twilight continued to struggle to break her grip of her magic "GUESS IT'S TIME TO PUT IN YOUR MISERY BY DECIMATED YOU!" She then raised her tentacles like mane as they turned into jet black blades now aimed at her neck. As the girls, Princess Luna, and Shining Armor got out their crater, they widened their eyes at it. As everything become slow, Twilight closed her eyes, her friends screaming for her, and the bladed mane thrust towards her.......... As a sound of a blade, the bladed mane were slice in half. Phantom Nightmare wore a shocked expression as Twilight open her eyes and saw something that surprised her, including her friends : Kite Blade slash the bladed mane and as time resume, he roundhouse kick Phantom Nightmare into the face, which she didn't have enough time as she was knocked into the dirt as the dark red magic dispersed as Twilight about to fall down but Kite Blade got her on his hooves. "Are you ok?" Kite Blade asked which Twilight blush wildly after saw his face but regain her control and nodded. As he set her down, he then use his item as a blue and green magic rejuvenating her and her magic. Then both ponies saw Phantom Nightmare getting back up as Kite Blade got into a battle position, holding his daggers as a azure flames covered them. "I'll draw her away. You heal your friends." was the only thing he said to her as he charged at her, which Phantom Nightmare charging at him. "But wait!" Twilight shouted, somehow worried for him, as hesitated, return to her friends and rejuvenate them but not before she saw the bracelet left on the ground and picked it up. Both ponies clash their blades as they kept trade blows by blows as Kite Blade dodge of Phantom Nightmare's assault from her jet black tentacle blades. As he duck from the side, his blades glow white as he shouted, "SONIC CLASH!" Phantom Nightmare conjure a shield as the blades clash onto it, sparks begin to fly everywhere as both ponies struggle at each other with teeth gritted. Then the shield bounce out of the attack as Kite Blade landed on his hind legs, while his blades glow green. "WIND BREAK!!!" as he fire his wind energies, Phantom Nightmare dodge it and with her horn glowing, fire her magic beam at him which he did the same. "YOU IMBECILE MAGGOT!!! YOU GOT SOME NERVE TO CHALLENGE ME WHEN I ACQUIRED ALL OF THIS POWER FROM THE ELEMENTS AND YOUR CLONES! DO YOU THINK YOU CAN STOP ME?!" Phantom Nightmare growled angrily, knowing that she can't land a single damage on him. "Yeah, I do, because the powers you stole, will fail you!" Kite Blade said, angered further her as her mouth begin open up widely as dark energies begin to gather around her mouth then fire a giant magic dark red beam at him. Then as he stood there, he swung his daggers at it, cutting the beam. "WHAT?!" she screeched at this as the beam died down, then Kite Blade charges at her as in quick succession, she block his attack using her tentacle blades. Then both bounce their attacks as Kite Blade land onto his hind legs and into his battle stance while he begin to breath heavily , prepare to fight again. I can't believe it. No matter how I tried, she kept bounce my attacks! And I getting on my limit of my strength! his mind raced as he take a quick glance at Twilight healing Fluttershy who was begin to get back up and glance back at Phantom Nightmare. I just pray that Night will be ok. She got to be! No matter what the darkness corrupt her, I know there's still some light in her. And that's what I'm gonna do! I can't lose her! With that he charges at her again as they clash their blades again. "Night, you had to stop this now! Don't let the darkness win over you!" Kite pleaded while gripping his blades, tightly. "YOUR 'NIGHT' IS DEAD! NOW THERE'S ONLY PHANTOM NIGHTMARE!" Phantom Nightmare screeched as both bounce back as Kite Blade resume his battle stance. "No, I don't believe it! Night is stronger than you, monster!" Kite Blade shouted which anger further the mare of the moon as she charging at him as he prepare his baldes "And I going to help her break free from you!" Meanwhile, Fluttershy, who was healed thanks to Twilight, use some of the potion to heal Rarity, Applejack, and Princess Luna while Twilight use her healing magic to rejuvenating Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Shining Armor. "Is everypony all right?" Twilight asked while the others begin to get up a bit. "Yeah, but my wings are sore a bit." Rainbow glance at her wings which was down. "Your not the only one, sugar cube. Ma'h hooves gotten beaten by that Phantom Nightmare." Applejack tried to walk, but wince at the pain for each step. "Overall, still good to fight." "I be all right, girls." Pinkie said, though not a cheerful tone which she tried to act cheerful "I never knew that Nightmare Moon gone loco in the coco on powers." "Alas, dear, my coat gotten covered in scratches and bruises. But I'll pull through......hopefully" Rarity said though muttered that nopony can hear. "Uggh, my head ringing like crazy, but I'll be all right." Shining rubbing his head. "Same thing" Luna added gotten back up as the sound of clashing blades, the ponies look in surprise as Kite Blade kept trades blows while dodging and blocking most of Phantom Nightmare's attack. Then as Kite Blade slash of the jet black tentacle blades, Phantom Nightmare buck her using her front leg which causing him to rolled bit on the ground but got back up quickly into his battle stance. "RGGGH! YOU MAY ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH MY ATTACKS, BUT SOON OR LATER, YOUR STRENGTHS WILL DIMINISHED AND I'LL FINISH YOU OFF!" Phantom Nightmare growled then smirked at him, which he grunted at this, feeling tired from the battle. Just as Phantom Nightmare prepare her horn, charging with her magic for a beam attack, two large pink beam hit her along with a large purple beam causing her to lose her focus as seeing the sign to counterattack, Kite Blade now charge at her, his blades glow bluish as it slash and thrust kick her and a final thrust to his tip of the blade, blasted her as a scream was held when she rolled to the ground . Then he take a glance at the ponies which they rush to his side as Twilight use her magic to heal him. "You all right?" Twilight asked in which he nodded. "Yeah, thanks, but why - " "The same reason why you save me." Twilight interrupted him which he surprise at her, then she levitate the bracelet to his side, "I believe this is yours." He grabbed it as reattach back to his right leg as he said to her "Thank you." She nodded as they heard a groan and a anger rising as the ponies take glance at Phantom Nightmare, rising up from her defeat, glare at them, "YOU IMBECILE PONIES! HOW IS THAT YOU PONIES STILL ABLE TO FIGHT AGAIN WHEN I BEAT ALL OF YOU PIECE BY PIECE WHILE I TRANSCEND WITH YOUR POWERS THAT YOU ONCE USE TO DEFEAT ME?!" "Simple, Phantom Nightmare." Kite Blade responded "It's because those powers were never meant to be use for evil. These ponies use them to bring harmony and peace to the land while you see those powers as tools for your tyrannical rule." "AND HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT?" Phantom Nightmare growled at that statement. "Night told me. She told me everything of her origin and everything you planned to do. I won't allow you to turn the Elements into pure darkness and plunge this world into eternal darkness. Not while I'm here and I use my power to bring Night back from you!" Kite Blade shouted as he got back into his battle stance once more. "ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!" Phantom Nightmare screeched at them as she got up, her eyes glowed with deep blood red as she begin to float up, surprising the ponies. "I JUST HAD ENOUGH OF ALL OF YOU PONIES DEFYING ME! IN FACT, IF I CAN'T HAVE THIS WORLD TO RULE, THEN I DESTROY IT!" The ponies gasped at this. Phantom Nightmare is going to destroy Equestria? "AND ONCE THIS WORLD IS DESTROYED, I'LL RECREATE IN MY OWN IMAGE WHEN I HAD ABSOLUTE CONTROL OF IT!" The ponies grunted at anger as Phantom Nightmare preparing something worst. Her horn begin to glow deep blood red as a orb of the same color as her magic begin pouring through it, causing to get bigger as she raised her front hooves. "CONSIDER THIS, YOU PUNISHMENT TO ALL CREATURES OF EQUESTRIA!" Phantom Nightmare screamed as the orb begin to get bigger by the second. "NOW DIE-" then a shock filled the monster as she grip her head and begin to lash out madly then they heard the monster's scream echoed across the cave. The ponies were shocked to see this event as Fluttershy muttered, "Girls, w-what's wrong with Phantom Nightmare?!" "I don't know, Fluttershy" Twilight replied "It looks like something is struggling within her or something!" "You sure, sugarcube?" Applejack wonder "Cause it's looks like that dang old Nightmare gone nutty!" Kite Blade take glance at the ponies, each muttered of this event, then back to the monster continuing struggling within her head. Suddenly, he felt a spark as his eyes widened in surprise. He then take step forward and shouted, "Night, if you can hear me, fight it!" The ponies glance at him with confuse looks as he continue to shouted "Don't let the Nightmare win over you! You can break free from it!" "Excuse me, darling but what are you doing?" Rarity asked him which he glance at her. "Night is breaking free from the Nightmare's control. I had to keep calling her." With that, he return to the struggling monster as a turquoise aura begin to envelop in the blood red aura as if they were clashing each other. "STOP IT! STOP RESIST ME, YOU WHELP! RAAAGGGH!" Phantom Nightmare screamed in pain as she kept lashing out. "No, this time, I won't let you win, Nightmare!" a familiar echoed voice was heard in her head. "The time has come to end our existence once and for all!" "Night, I'm here for you! You can do it!" Kite Blade shouted to the monster now fighting with the other Luna. Auras continue to spark each other as the turquoise continue to dominate over the blood red aura. Then, the monster was raised and suddenly the monster's hooves were spread as the turquoise aura enveloping it, holding it in place. "NO! NO! RAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHH! RELEASE ME AT ONCE!" Phantom Nightmare shouted, trying to break free from her grip but to no avail. Then the turquoise aura begin to materialized in the middle, the pony that Kite Blade knew and love who now was holding in the same place as her. "Night!" Kite Blade screamed as the others were agape at this pony. But what she said to him, something that she should told him in the first place, is something he'll regret it in his life. "If you can hear me, John, then destroy Phantom Nightmare! You must use your bracelet and use Data Drain on the End function to erase the monster!" Kite Blade mouth were agape at her words. Destroy Phantom Nightmare using his Data Drain?! And on the End function?! If that happen, then not only Phantom Nightmare will be destroyed but also- "WHAT! No I can't do that, Night! I made a promise to give a second chance!" Kite Blade shouted, his voice was breaking a bit. "John, you must." "No, I can't do that do you! I'll find another way! I had to!" "John......" "I'm not going to lose you! I won't let that happen! I-" "JOHN, LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER!" Night shouted using the familiar Royal Canterlot voice, causing him to shocked and look at her with his eyes in sadness. She sighed and look at him with solemn eyes, "John, I completely understand your promise to give me a second chance, but don't you remember what I told you?" He nodded sadly "Yeah, I was your child. Your gift." "Right, and when a mother pass away, her child must now make a future for themselves. The time has come." Night said which the ponies were shocked to hear yet they also begin to shed tears for them. "But, I need you, Night!" Kite Blade's voice begin to break as his eyes begin to water " You're the reason I'm here! All this time I spent with you, you made me the happiest pony I know. I don't care about my past! I just want you! With me......otherwise........I had nothing to live for without you." "But that's why, I'm entrusting my care for you to them." Night monitor to Twilight and her friends which they're surprise at this. She then glance at them with a soft smile. "Princess Luna, you and the elements, I am truly sorry for what I've done as Nightmare Moon for causing pain and misery. An apology won't be enough for all of you and your kinds. But at least I ask you this as a token of my forgiveness and my thanks to all of you." The ponies nodded as Luna said "Anything, Night." "I want you to take care of my son. I know what he did is wrong, but he only did as a forsaken for me and him to live together. I want you to care for him, love him, and be with him. He's everything that I had in my life." "Of course." Luna nodded "Sure, we'll look after your son." Twilight said as the others, still welling up in tears nodded with her. "STOP WITH THE MUSHY GROSS STUFF! I WON'T LET YOUR SON DO THIS! RAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGH!" Phantom Nightmare screeched, continue to struggle. "You shut your mouth, monster!" Night shouted, holding on to the monster. She take glance at her son, now struggling with thoughts. "John, you must do it to protect Equestria! Don't let everypony died from the monster just to save me!" The monster continue to struggle as with the same as Night. "Please, John, you must release me from the curse of the Nightmare!" "STOP IT! STOP FIGHTING ME! DO YOU REALLY WANT TO DO THIS! YOU'LL LOSE YOUR OWN MOTHER!" Phantom Nightmare screeched. "It'll be okay, John, please, do it for me." Night said as about a few minutes, he finally take glance at her and his answer, "All right." "NOOOOOO! DON'T DO THIS!" Phantom Nightmare screeched at his answer. John store his daggers as he raised his right front leg. Memory of time when he woke up in Equestria with no memories of who he is or where did he came from as Night rescue him from drowning on the river. Night take glance in happiness as data wings swirl around the arm, forming a cannon with the pink star on the middle of the data barrel and aim at them. Another memory shows him of first meeting each other, as they eat rations, share laughter, understand their sadness, and caring for each other. John's tears spilled on his eyes as he muttered, "Thank you for everything, my mother." "NO! NO! NOOOOOOOOOO! STOP THIS! NOOOOOOOOOOO!" Phantom Nightmare screeched as the cannon begin charging at full power. The final memory is how they look up into the sky and show happiness to each other and slept together in the cold area of the cave. Night then close her eyes, preparing for her end, but not when she muttered her last words "Thank you for everything, my son." "DATA DRAIN!" With a screamed, the data blasted as rods of data shot out of the cannon and impaled the monster as the monster screamed as all of the powers from the Elements of Harmony begin to drain away to the cannon and finally the life forces as the monster screeched as cracks begin to develop as energies begin to leaked out onto the defeated Phantom Nightmare as it explode, enveloping the area. (To you my dear -.hack G.U. ost) As John was floated in a white void, asleep, a voice was heard, "John......John..........wake up......" His eyes begin to stirred as his vision was clear, he look up and saw only nothingness but only the ponies there too, floating into the white void. Twilight begin to wake up as scan the area, "Where are we?" The other begin waking up too as they too take glance on the area as Luna decide to break the silence, "I'm not sure. With all of the energies leaked out of Phantom Nightmare, it assume that we're protected from it." "By who?" Shining Armor asked until the others heard hooves step as the others take glance at the right and agape at what they saw. A pink alicorn who share resemblance to Luna but the mane and tail was cut short as her cutie mark resemble that of a moon akin to Luna's. John squinted his eyes as he widened and said to her, "Night? Is that you?" She shook her head and replied, "Yes, my son. But now that you free me from the curse of the Nightmare, this is my true form thanks to the Elements of Harmony. I'm now Princess Selena." "Did you protected us from the leaked energies?" Rarity asked her which she nodded " But how?" "Since I'm another Luna, I share the same magic capabilities as her but with yours too." Selena replied as John begin to turn his head away from her. She then walked towards him and place her hoof on his chest. "I'm sorry......mother" his voice begin to break more "I couldn't.......even........I.....try......" "Shhhhh" Selena hushed him, pulled him into a embrace as while he hug her tightly, her smile never waver "It's all right, my son. You did it at last." "But " John look up to her, his eyes begin to shows tears as he kept sniffing "It was my job to take care of you. And I failed." She shook her head " No, you didn't failed. It was our job to take care of each other. And we did it. We complete our destiny." She release him from their embrace and begin to walk away from him. John raise his hoof, seeing her finally going away from him, "Wait.....please......" "It's time for me to go." Selena said as she begin to faded away as while he hesitate, he nodded and said to her, "Goodbye." As everything begin to blinded the area, she her final words to him "Goodbye, my son." Twilight begin to stirred from her prone form as she woken up, she saw that they're back outside of the cave. The others begin to wake up as they too scan the area. "We're back outside of the cave." she said as she take glance at them nodded then something in her mind as she take a look in the area, she saw Kite Blade standing, while his right front hoof reaching for something. Then he knee down as he bowed his head. Sadness taken over her as she slowly walk towards him, she can hear him sniffing as she finally plant her hoof onto his right shoulder as he take glance at her, with tears in her eyes like his as before she knew, he had her in a caring embrace, begin to finally cried with his heart now filled with grief of the loss of her mother. Twilight was shocked yet she return it as she wrapped her hooves around his waist while patted his head. The others begin to gather and hug him too, for a need comfort as Princess Luna and Shining Armor stayed their, feeling sorry for him. For that day forward, the day that John, woke up in Equestria and found his mother, is now ..................alone. Insert music -